We're traveling from Richmond Va to north of Albany NY tomorrow to visit family. We plan on leaving Richmond around 1PM. The most direct way is going 95 through DC, Baltimore, Phli, NYC, etc. which we don't want to do. So we've decided to go a longer way to avoid traffic. We're trying to find the best way to get from Harrisburg PA to Albany NY. One site recommends taking 81 through Scranton to 78 to 287 to 87. Another suggests taking 81 through Allentown to 84 to 87. Does anyone know which might be a better option? All of this assumes the roads are clear.

By Kate on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 11:08 pm:

Um yes. The best option would be to stay where you are. Seriously. This snow is RIDICULOUS. OR, alter your plans slightly and veer off course a bit...I'm sure you know the right direction...

By Jjb on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 11:18 pm:

I'm really, really, really hoping the wind stops and the snow can be cleared...it's so hard to imagine since there is no snow down here. I even bought a new hat today (which I'm currently wearing since I'm cold) for my skiing adventures with DS's. We will change our plans if we have to if the roads aren't clear. I know weather always makes trips this time of year questionable...but this is the only weekend away we have planned. Kate, maybe we'll just head up your way instead (although I'm not sure it will be any better)!

By Kellyj on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 11:23 pm:

I can't speak for the PA roads...but I'm in Albany and the main highways are clear. I-87 (NYS thruway) is always well maintained.

By Sunny on Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 11:26 pm:

I would stick with I-95

I-78 closed

By Bea on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 12:58 am:

I'd get off 95 at Exit 133 and go up 17 to Winchester and 81 on to Binghamton and 88 to Albany. We avoid 95 whenever possible.

By Sandysmom on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 04:59 am:

PA - at least this part of PA is notorious for leaving their roads a bit messy. I would definitely use 95.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 05:57 am:

Here's a link to the Pennsylvania Dept of Transportation "real weather" road conditions site: PennDOT and the toll free number is 1-800-331-3414

I know last night there was a weather advisory that said that lots of major roads in Pennsylvania were closed for long stretches because weather conditions had caused accidents (actually drivers had accidents because they were not driving appropriately for the weather, in my opinion). You need to check to see whether the roads you intend to take are open or closed.

Here's a TV station site which gives the toll free numbers for road conditions in NY, Penna, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland: TVstation site

I do know some major roads around Allentown were closed last night because of weather/accident conditions. I would imagine the further north you go the worse it gets, and from what I've heard, New York, especially western and northern New York, has had huge amounts of snow.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 06:02 am:

If it were me, I'd stay home - but I am a very unadventurous driver. But if you go, please be sure you are prepared in case you have to spend time stuck on a roadway in your car because of weather - i.e., extra warm clothes you can put on, some food "just in case", and keep the gas tank filled up.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 06:17 am:

Interstate roads around Wilkes Barre are closed because of ice right now, according to KYW, our all-news station, and there is a huge mess in the King of Prussia area, with truckers pulled off the road (among others) for hours at a time.

I-78, I-80 and I-81 all have large areas that are closed and packed with cars like a huge parking lot. Some people have been stranded in their cars for "more than a day" (whatever that means in news-speak, but I would assume at least 8 hours). Lots of stranded cars have run out of gas, so it will take hours and hours, maybe a day or two, to get the mess cleared out.

By Jjb on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 07:14 am:

Thank you so much for the information. I think we now have to evaluate if we should go or not. If we decide to go we'll definately look up the links you gave us Ginny- thank you!!! We just moved down here from Western NY being used to snow we will be prepared...plus we're going skiing so we have tons of warm clothes with us. 95 doesn't sound so bad now!

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 07:46 am:

According to KYW, the NE Extension of the turnpike is clear - slow, with lots of traffic at present, but clear. Not knowing that area very well, I don't know where the NE extension goes, except, obviously, NE. The Turnpike Commission is waiving tolls on the turnpike today because of the huge jamup in the Poconos area. According to the newspapers, some people were trapped for as much as 24 hours.

By Jjb on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 11:25 am:

Ginny-- thank you so very much. The tv station link was perfect- exactly what we needed. We're still going but we're braving it and taking I-95 most of the way. We'll hit a ton of traffic but at least the roads are clear and it will be safer route.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, February 17, 2007 - 05:50 am:

Jen, I'd be curious to know how your trip went. One of my bosses had to drive from the Phila. area to the Poconos for a business related ski event yesterday, and said it took him about 4 hours to drive a 2 hour trip. And, of course, that a tanker truck loaded with volatile chemicals overturned on the south-bound side of the NE Turnpike extension didn't help.

By Jjb on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 09:59 pm:

Ginny, we ended up taking 95 to the Garden State Parkway up to 87. The roads were crowded and a bit slower but not bad all things considered. We were lucky going North- South bound traffic was stop and go the entire trip. It was a stressful drive for DH with all the traffic...but it was moving so we really can't complain. We drove home today a different route. It was longer distance wise but time wise it was faster due to less traffic. We took 87 to 287 to 78 to 83 to 15 then various roads to get from DC to Richmond. Traffic wasn't bad at all. It was slow in Harrisburg and in Frederick MD but we still made good time (which is a must with 3 kids in the car for 9+ hours). I hope your boss has a better trip home.

On a side note...it was gorgeous in the Adirondack Mountains this weekend- sunny, high 20's with tons and tons of fresh snow. The kids had a blast playing in the snow and they started skiing. I never knew how much physical work it takes to teach kids to ski. I can hardly move! We all had a lot of fun.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 12:23 am:

Sounds like a fun trip!