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But Jerzboy, using the travelers timetable, they will driving through this area around 9pm. Traffic shouldn't be a problem by then.
Agreed - I wasn't aware of the timetables when I posted that. So basically the OP will be driving through South Jersey during rush hour. I drive on the turnpike alot during that time and never have problems in SJ. By the time, he reaches North Jersey, it should be late enough that rush hour would be over. Therefore, I think the direct route will be the quickest.
i'll take your and mike's word for it. on off hours though 295 is the way to go.
Definitely agree 295 is the way to go during off-peak hours.....especially on Sundays.
Just an FYI in case anyone plans on taking 295 instead of the turnpike in the near future. Keep in mind 295 is currently undergoing extensive "rehabilitation" in Gloucester County. Right now the NB side of the roadway is closed.....all traffic is using the SB side with 2 narrow lanes in each direction and no shoulders.
Definitely agree 295 is the way to go during off-peak hours.....especially on Sundays.
Just an FYI in case anyone plans on taking 295 instead of the turnpike in the near future. Keep in mind 295 is currently undergoing extensive "rehabilitation" in Gloucester County. Right now the NB side of the roadway is closed.....all traffic is using the SB side with 2 narrow lanes in each direction and no shoulders.
That area south of Woodbury always seems to be under 'extensive rehabilitation'. 15 years ago, I remember this was one of the last sections of the Interstate highway system not up to 'code', meaning, the exit ramps were often direct dump offs onto local roads, or the curves were too severe. There was a reason for that, and a reason why that section of road is so problematic: it was actually US 130 before it was 295, built in 1953. That road has made victim to many jackknived tractor trailers for this reason.
btw, will it be worthwhile to use 287 at that post-rush hour time (8PM or so), or should i just take the garden state pkwy? should i just monitor the radio for traffic reports? what's a good station for traffic in north jersey?
I'll chime in because I've actually done a similar trip before, DC to northern Vermont via Rutland:
Through Jersey is absolutely the fastest way for the time you're leaving. If you were going on a summer weekend, or you were going to hit North Jersey at rush hour, there would be an incentive to go through PA. The GSP and 287 are to be avoided at rush hour, and the Delaware Memorial Bridge traffic jams during the summer are epic.
As other posters have pointed out though, you're not coming through North Jersey at rush hour so you should be fine there. The two places you'll hit the worst traffic are coming out of Baltimore and through Delaware; it should be smooth sailing through Jersey.
As to your other questions, GSP/287 is a toss-up at that hour. They both should be fine. GSP is shorter, but only by 6 miles or so. 287 makes up for that because it is a much faster road (speed limit is 65 but prevailing speed at off-peak hours is 75+) and lacks tollbooths. I like 287, using 280-80 or 78-24 to get there, but it depends on the situation. If you get into that area by 7 (nearly impossible if you're leaving at 4 but who knows ), do GSP. The later it gets, the more likely it is that 287 will be a better route. The radio station to listen to for traffic in this part of Jersey is 101.5FM.
i haven't made this drive in a long time (prolly 10 yrs or so), however my nightmares are still riddled with scenes of jersey turnpike/garden state parkway bloodbaths.
i'll be leaving the baltimore area this thursday around 4PM or so (hopefully). i'm thinking that a thursday evening between 5-7 PM is gonna be ugly, so i am considering avoiding the area all together and driving an extra 50 miles to go through harrisburg and scranton to reach the ny state thruway at newburgh -- any thoughts or tips on this strategy?
thanks in advance for any advice.
~jack
Daughter lives in VT, suggest 295 to NJTURNPIKE;
287N to NY Thruway, to 787 in Albany to VT 7
btw, will it be worthwhile to use 287 at that post-rush hour time (8PM or so), or should i just take the garden state pkwy? should i just monitor the radio for traffic reports? what's a good station for traffic in north jersey?
thanks again!
880AM or 1010AM provides traffic updates frequently
My wife Roselvr directed me to this post, she thought I should share my driving experiences with you for your journey.
I drive a semi, (a car-carrier) and have been on all the roads mentioned in this post at various times of the day and night, and have traveled so many different ways in the past 25yrs to get to Rutland here is my 2 cents:
Leaving the Baltimore area at 4pm or so is where your going to hit the most traffic (695 then 95 up to Belair exit 77). As far as going up 83 towards Harrisburg, living in Baltimore you should know what that's like at rush hour, not a bad way to go as an alternate route, but not the way I would go.
Delaware won't be that bad at the time you'll hit it since most of the traffic will be coming south from Wilmington and Philly. There is some road construction in Delaware by exit 4 to the 95/295 split but it shouldn't cause any problems as no lanes are closed in either direction. You should have no problems on the NJ Turnpike at the time you'll be on it.
I wouldn't recommend Rt 31 as Mike0421 suggest simply for the fact it's all 2 lane, with traffic lights and various speed limits, and why would you backtrack to get to it anyway? Your already going north, why go "West on 195 to 295 north, which turns into 95 south,and get off exit 4, Rt 31"? Your almost back in PA just north of Philly by then.
The traffic on 295 NORTH at the 42 split at dinner time is all going SOUTH onto 42 and 55, you shouldn't have any major problems going northbound on 295 in that area.
If you do go 295 north, as JerzBoy said there is construction on a section, it's between exits 16 and 19, where it's down to 2 northbound lanes. You also have to pay attention to the signs around exit 26 or you'll end up going over the Walt Whitman Bridge into Philly, Then you'll be annoyed at yourself for not paying attention.
Now if it was me doing the trip I would go 95 North over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, up the NJ Tpk to exit 9. Then Rt 18 north to the River Road exit,go right on River Road to 287 North,to the NY Thruway North. Exit the NY Thruway at exit 24,follow the signs for 87 NORTH. Take 87 North to exit 20,follow signs for Rt 149 and Fort Ann, go left when you reach Rt 4. Follow Rt 4 right into Rutland,Vt.
Now the reason I go exit 9 to Rt 18 to 287 off the NJTPK is because by the time you stay on the NJTP to exit 10, I'll already be at exit 11 on 287,so I saved time and miles going that way.
Hope I was able to help.
Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down.
Last edited by Roselvr; 03-18-2008 at 06:30 PM..
Reason: spacing
Now the reason I go exit 9 to Rt 18 to 287 off the NJTPK is because by the time you stay on the NJTP to exit 10, I'll already be at exit 11 on 287,so I saved time and miles going that way.
Hope I was able to help.
Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down.
yes, if *I* was doing that trip, I'd get off at 9. However, I tell people unfamiliar with the area to do the easiest thing (which is 10, all major hwys)..River Road is a *little* off the beaten path, KWIM?
dude, your post is exactly why i love the interwebs! they can keep their porn -- i'll keep surfing for posts just like yours! awesome!
thanks!
~jack
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