For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[pwdebbie]

we hit it. we got off exit 14 and got back on at exit 17. i detoured with my garmin and i followed a tracter trailer. we saw the accident from the side street. briana looked it up on the web on her phone they said it was 20 kids on there way to camp. we got there about 5:15. what a shame. i hope eveybody made it.

That bus was from the school my kids (all adults now) attended. In fact, some of their classmates' children were on the bus. Amazingly, the worst injury was to the bus driver who broke his arm just below the shoulder. All the kids (22 six- to twelve-year-olds I think) and the five adults were released from the hospital by Sunday night, mostly just bumps and bruises, and a few broken bones. Since you saw the bus, you know how amazing this is! People were on the scene assisting well before emergency equipment arrived. And everything was done efficiently -- all the disaster training paid off. Accident was caused by a driver who evidently over-corrected when switching lanes and went sideways, the bus broadsided the cadillac. That driver made it out ok too.

 

[BC1836]

Yes, it does bypass PA. I didn't realize the Parkway was the same as the Turnpike, and I assumed I-95 would be your main road down through NJ.

The Garden State Parkway (GSP) and the New Jersey Turnpike (NJT) are two different roads.

The GSP is an intrastate that essentially runs along the eastern side of the state from the NY state border to Cape May; the NJT is an interstate that runs from NE NJ to SW NJ. The NJT is part of I-95

All the best.

 

[joyride]

Thanks dvczerfs, that helps. We were in Cranberry/Grove City in April and there was a lot of construction north of that area, resulting in an almost 7 (!) hour drive for what should have been 4 hours.

Do you know if that is all finished now ?

well, i can help you from 77 to 4. just took that route last weekend going south and sunday coming north. no major problems. there is construction but nothing that should hold you up. as far as speed traps, we seen some troopers but i kept it 7 miles over the speed limit. most of the way it 70mph and when i wasnt in a chain of cars "moving" i would keep in around 77-78. there are plenty of rest stops and places to stay and eat.

 

[dvczerfs]

I can remember when 33 only when as far south as 22! Yes, I haz the old!
I'd be happy to have you join us. There will be 5 of us in a Rav4. Three gals and 2 guys. The roof rack might be your only option





Ok...never mind!

My next evil plot involves leaving super early in the AM (2am-ish). I'm determined not to sleep in GA! Might have to reset the clocks without telling the girls...

thanks for the help!

barrel

i did it in 16 hours. if you leave at 2am, you will hit wdw by 6-7pm if you dont mess around.

 

[dvczerfs]

That bus was from the school my kids (all adults now) attended. In fact, some of their classmates' children were on the bus. Amazingly, the worst injury was to the bus driver who broke his arm just below the shoulder. All the kids (22 six- to twelve-year-olds I think) and the five adults were released from the hospital by Sunday night, mostly just bumps and bruises, and a few broken bones. Since you saw the bus, you know how amazing this is! People were on the scene assisting well before emergency equipment arrived. And everything was done efficiently -- all the disaster training paid off. Accident was caused by a driver who evidently over-corrected when switching lanes and went sideways, the bus broadsided the cadillac. That driver made it out ok too.

wow!! thank god they all made it. the bus was on its roof facing the wrong way in a ditch on the side of the highway.

Thanks dvczerfs, that helps. We were in Cranberry/Grove City in April and there was a lot of construction north of that area, resulting in an almost 7 (!) hour drive for what should have been 4 hours.

Do you know if that is all finished now ?

no but i went through it at 4pm on a friday afternnon and about 4pm on a sat. afternoon and didnt have any problems.

 

[dvczerfs]

Our 23rd 2,000+ mile round-trip drive was completed this afternoon!

We departed home at 1:32 a.m. on 6/19 and crossed the following state borders on I-95 at the designated times:

DE: 3:06 a.m.
MD: 3:23 a.m.
VA: 5:12 a.m.
NC: 8:26 a.m.
SC: 11:20 a.m.
GA: 2:31 p.m.
FL: 4:16 p.m.
Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn Express: 7:16 p.m.

[No traffic problems.]

The next morning we arrived at the Grand Floridian where we began our quest to cross paths with dvczerfs and sharadoc. No luck all week.

We departed WDW at 10:05 p.m. on 6/27 and crossed the following state borders at the designated times:

GA: 1:17 p.m.
SC: 2:58 p.m.
NC: 6:00 p.m.
VA: 9:19 p.m. [We checked into a Holiday Inn Express in Emporia]

This morning, 6/28, we left Emporia at 9:25 a.m. We hit a giant traffic jam around mm 77 in VA (accident). It took 45 minutes to go about two miles!

MD: 11:55 a.m.
DE: 2:41 p.m.
NJ: 2:58 p.m.
Home: 4:39 p.m.

Total miles: 2,233 (84 miles in WDW)

Total gas purchases (not counting the first tank): $239.50

Let our October countdown begin!

All the best.

we never were in the same spot at the same time. i met sharon because we planned a meal together before we left. other than that, we were next door to her in the same hotel and only saw her once when i looked over the wall at the contemp. its hard to be in the same spot unless you plan something before hand. dw and i are going back down on sept 27th for two weeks at okw.

 

[BC1836]

we never were in the same spot at the same time. i met sharon because we planned a meal together before we left. other than that, we were next door to her in the same hotel and only saw her once when i looked over the wall at the contemp. its hard to be in the same spot unless you plan something before hand. dw and i are going back down on sept 27th for two weeks at okw.

We will miss you by two weeks in October.

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

All-Time "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only!" Records (updated 6/29/11)

Most Total Drives: 50 (since '73): dvczerfs

Most Drives in One Decade: 23 (2002-2011): bc1836

Most Drives in One Calendar Year: 4 (three times: 2008, 2009, 2010): bc1836; (one time: 2009): cruisingkat

Most Drives in One 12-Month Period: 5 (12/08-12/09): cruising kat;
(12/09-12/10): bc1836

Shortest Time Between Drives: 19 days (2009): cruisingkat

Most passengers in one vehicle: 10 (2010: 2 adults, 8 kids; 1999 Chevy Express Van): birdslightyear (aka just*the*ten*of*us)

Still looking for the Longest Drive....

All the best.

 

[WDWKOOK]

All-Time "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only!" Records (updated 5/29/11)

Most Total Drives: 50 (since '73): dvczerfs

Most Drives in One Decade: 23 (2002-2011): bc1836

Most Drives in One Calendar Year: 4 (three times: 2008, 2009, 2010): bc1836; (one time: 2009): cruisingkat

Most Drives in One 12-Month Period: 5 (12/08-12/09): cruising kat;
(12/09-12/10): bc1836

Shortest Time Between Drives: 19 days (2009): cruisingkat

Most passengers in one vehicle: 10 (2010: 2 adults, 8 kids; 1999 Chevy Express Van): birdslightyear (aka just*the*ten*of*us)

Still looking for the Longest Drive....

All the best.

Wow, that's an impressive list. (I'm a 1700 mile r/t lurker)

 

[dvczerfs]

We will miss you by two weeks in October.

All the best.

ok, lets try this. do you ever get close to the lehigh valley area? when you head down in october, are you going to come across pa (i78,i80)?

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm down to about 36 days until the start of my drive to WDW with my niece. The first leg is NH to DC where we will spend the weekend before driving the remainder of the way.

We are leaving on a Thursday, hopefully about 6:30 AM from my sister's house in central Mass. However I have been toying with maybe taking a 1/2 day on Wednesday and driving part of the way (north NJ?) on Wednesday afternoon. My planned path will be Mass Pike to I-84 to Sawmill to Tappan Zee to GSP or NJ Turnpike. If I do this path, does anyone have a suggestion of a nice hotel near the highway in a good neighbor hood? My preferred hotels are Marriott brand.

Not sure why I am thinking about leaving on Wednesday, but I am. Of course work may get in the way and that may not be possible.

 

[dvczerfs]

I'm down to about 36 days until the start of my drive to WDW with my niece. The first leg is NH to DC where we will spend the weekend before driving the remainder of the way.

We are leaving on a Thursday, hopefully about 6:30 AM from my sister's house in central Mass. However I have been toying with maybe taking a 1/2 day on Wednesday and driving part of the way (north NJ?) on Wednesday afternoon. My planned path will be Mass Pike to I-84 to Sawmill to Tappan Zee to GSP or NJ Turnpike. If I do this path, does anyone have a suggestion of a nice hotel near the highway in a good neighbor hood? My preferred hotels are Marriott brand.

Not sure why I am thinking about leaving on Wednesday, but I am. Of course work may get in the way and that may not be possible.

nj turnpike area is bc zone. sorry i cant help you out, your to far east for me.

 

[BC1836]

I'm down to about 36 days until the start of my drive to WDW with my niece. The first leg is NH to DC where we will spend the weekend before driving the remainder of the way.

We are leaving on a Thursday, hopefully about 6:30 AM from my sister's house in central Mass. However I have been toying with maybe taking a 1/2 day on Wednesday and driving part of the way (north NJ?) on Wednesday afternoon. My planned path will be Mass Pike to I-84 to Sawmill to Tappan Zee to GSP or NJ Turnpike. If I do this path, does anyone have a suggestion of a nice hotel near the highway in a good neighbor hood? My preferred hotels are Marriott brand.

Once you get on the GSP you will eventually have to get on the NJTP (assuming you want to cross the DE Memorial Bridge and get on I-95 south) or you will end up too far south in NJ. The GSP and NJTP meet just north of the Raritan Bridge. Check your map and make a decision on the best route you want to take.

As for hotels near the NJTP, it's best to make your stay south of New Brunswick to avoid lots of congestion.

Good luck.

All the best.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Hey all. It's been great to read about everyone's recent travels. I know it's hard to catch up with people. We had another family we tried to catch up with while we there but we kept missing each other. We were near each other several times but never quite made it.

BC - when in October are you going to be there. We are tentatively scheduled to go 10/23 to 10/28? This time we are staying at ASMusic but plan on going to Universal and skipping Disney Parks. But hopefully will have at least a day at DTD.

 

[BC1836]

Hey all. It's been great to read about everyone's recent travels. I know it's hard to catch up with people. We had another family we tried to catch up with while we there but we kept missing each other. We were near each other several times but never quite made it.

BC - when in October are you going to be there. We are tentatively scheduled to go 10/23 to 10/28? This time we are staying at ASMusic but plan on going to Universal and skipping Disney Parks. But hopefully will have at least a day at DTD.

Our week overlaps but once we're on WDW property, we're there for the duration. Let our mutual countdowns begin.

All the best.

 

[nono]

The NJT is park of I-95

Sort of.

From wikipedia:
Due to the cancellation of the Somerset Freeway, a gap exists on I-95 within New Jersey. I-95 enters New Jersey from Pennsylvania on the Scudder Falls Bridge and heads east to an interchange with US 1 in Lawrence Township, turning into I-295 southbound. Meanwhile, I-95 enters New Jersey from New York on the George Washington Bridge and heads south on the New Jersey Turnpike and Pennsylvania Extension to the Delaware River-Turnpike Toll Bridge, becoming I-276 at the state line. Traffic must utilize other roads in order to fill the gap. For traffic running north–south along the Atlantic seaboard bypassing Philadelphia, the discontinuous sections are linked by the remainder of the New Jersey Turnpike (and I-295 over the Delaware Memorial Bridge). Southbound I-95 traffic headed to Delaware is directed to continue south on the New Jersey Turnpike and use the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The same is done in reverse: thru traffic on I-95 near Wilmington, Delaware is pointed to New Jersey and New York City via the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike. Meanwhile, traffic from Pennsylvania and Trenton is directed via I-295 and I-195.

Clear as mud! Hence the common confusion! It is nuts! Don't just follow I-95 signs when going North through DE. You might not end up where you planned!

 

[BC1836]

Sort of.

From wikipedia:
Due to the cancellation of the Somerset Freeway, a gap exists on I-95 within New Jersey. I-95 enters New Jersey from Pennsylvania on the Scudder Falls Bridge and heads east to an interchange with US 1 in Lawrence Township, turning into I-295 southbound. Meanwhile, I-95 enters New Jersey from New York on the George Washington Bridge and heads south on the New Jersey Turnpike and Pennsylvania Extension to the Delaware River-Turnpike Toll Bridge, becoming I-276 at the state line. Traffic must utilize other roads in order to fill the gap. For traffic running north–south along the Atlantic seaboard bypassing Philadelphia, the discontinuous sections are linked by the remainder of the New Jersey Turnpike (and I-295 over the Delaware Memorial Bridge). Southbound I-95 traffic headed to Delaware is directed to continue south on the New Jersey Turnpike and use the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The same is done in reverse: thru traffic on I-95 near Wilmington, Delaware is pointed to New Jersey and New York City via the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike. Meanwhile, traffic from Pennsylvania and Trenton is directed via I-295 and I-195.

Clear as mud! Hence the common confusion! It is nuts! Don't just follow I-95 signs when going North through DE. You might not end up where you planned!

Thanks for the post because it identified a typo (which I just corrected on the original post). Funny, though, the GSP and NJT can be "parks" sometimes, especially when traffic just sits there.

Your comment about the I-95 drive through DE is so true. Thanks again.

All the best.

 

[nono]

I had to grab the explanation from wikipedia, because even I can't get it straight! LOL And, I used to work in Trenton. Talk about in terms of I95 and its offshoots!

 

[BC1836]

I had to grab the explanation from wikipedia, because even I can't get it straight! LOL And, I used to work in Trenton. Talk about in terms of I95 and its offshoots!

And today is the busiest day of the extended July 4th weekend trafficwise on the GSP: 1.6 million drivers as opposed to tomorrow's 1.5 million drivers. Nearly 10 million are expected to drive the GSP during the June 29-July 5 week; 4.6 million are expected on the NJT over the same period.

Of course, NJ is the most densely populated state in the union. No wonder we take frequent excursions to WDW!

All the best.

 

[nono]

And today is the busiest day of the extended July 4th weekend trafficwise on the GSP: 1.6 million drivers as opposed to tomorrow's 1.5 million drivers.

And guess who, once again, made appointments in North Jersey today. Mr. Nono. (every year!) You can take the boy out of California, but you can't take the CA out of the boy. I'm a GSP widow today. For sure. I hope to see him by 10 pm!