Mpls to Philly

[Amy K]

I am going to be going Mpls to Philly alone in the end of January.. any advice, tips, things I should see or avoid?

[laydownthelaw]

Amy-

Did the trip several times (well...only once to Philly, but several times to Long Island) back when I was a Golden Gopher, and I do have some advice for you. I'll assume you know the general route you're going to take.


Chicago traffic is AWFUL!!! Doesn't seem to matter when you make your approach, the traffic will get you almost every time. After suffering through the worst highway in the U.S. (The Illinois Toll Road portion of I-90) the first couple of times, I took to going around Chicago instead of through it. You can take I-39 out of Rockford until it meets up with I-80. It adds some miles to the trip, but I'd personally rather drive an extra hour or two than spend the same amount of time in traffic.

My only other advice is to keep your eye on the signs when you approach the I-76/I-78 interchange along I-76 East. I remember the exit signs being a bit confusing there, especially late in a driving day...6's become 8's pretty easily when you've been staring at the road for eight hours. Just make sure you stay on 76.


Good luck and safe driving.



ab

I agree with the previous poster's comments re: Chicago, and would try that route as an alternate. Also, beware of the highway patrol in Ohio- infamous for being omnipresent! Watch your speed!

One more thing, be aware of the weather situation when crossing the mountains in western PA- could make your trip a real headache, or even force you to pull over and wait out a snowstorm.

Good luck!

[kristy]

I DONT KNOW IF IT EFFECTS ANYONE ELSE BUT WHEN I DRIVE INTO THE SNOW (WHEN IT IS COMING STRAIGHT AT YOU VERSUS FROM THE SIDE OR AT ANY ANGLE)IT GIVES ME THE FEELING OF NOT MOVING YET I KNOW I AM SO I GET REALLY CAR SICK. I HAD NEVER GOTTEN CAR SICK IN MY LIFE UNTIL I DROVE WITH THE SNOW COMING STRAIGHT AT ME. JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU TEND TO GET CAR SICK OR ARE DRIVING IN LOTS OF SNOW. I MUST OF STOPPED EVERY 1/2 HOUR THROUGH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ONE WINTER BECAUSE OF NAUSEA.

[laydownthelaw]

I have found more weather problems in the Pocono Mountains area of Pennsylvania than in the western stretches, but you should keep abreast of cbanging weather patterns any time of year.

[Mel Gomez]

I am going to NY at the end of January also. I am bringing 2 friends along. Any advice you get can you please forward to my email? Maybe we can caravan.