DC to New York
Aug 19, 2004 | 7:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,093
Originally Posted by DeafFlyer
I just tried a route similar to Dr. Gridlock's (Washington Post) suggestion. I-95 to I-695 west around Baltimore. Take I-83 north to Harrisburg, Pa.. .
Aug 19, 2004 | 9:07 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Earth (PIT)
Programs: Airline/TSA Avoidance Platinum, Hotel Disloyalty Silver, Hertz 1.7*
Posts: 5,277
Originally Posted by pdhenry
I noticed today that NY/NJ Port Authority now has a $1 monthly fee for having an EzPass issued through them; in PA it's still $3 per year.
Aug 22, 2004 | 3:25 pm
#19
Original Poster
Used to be Sydneysider
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CPH
Programs: AS MVP/Gold (and 75K aspirant)
Posts: 2,984
Originally Posted by Analise
Wow, I like this story. Have fun!!
Thanks to all for your ideas and suggestions! I took the 95-695-83-81-78 route in, and 95 straight down this morning. I honestly don't know how New York is even functional for car owners, as I waited for 45 minutes to enter the Holland Tunnel on a Saturday afternoon. Next time will be by bus, train or plane!
And some of the tolls are outrageous, IMO! $2.00 for a ten mile stretch on the Delaware Turnpike?! Makes Jersey seem like a bargain.
Aug 22, 2004 | 4:58 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: COPP/UAGS SPG Platinum, USAir Gold Hyatt Diamond, Amex Centurion
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by choster
Chinatown bus is $35 round trip.
You can't beat the price. I don't know if I'd take it nowadays, but back when I was just out of BU, and living back home in NYC, you couldn't beat it.
-Peter
Aug 26, 2004 | 12:57 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Originally Posted by rkkwan
1. Between DC and Baltimore, it's a tossup. I used to take the 295/BWParkway and the I-895 Harbor Tunnel, as I find it less stressful than I-95. But I-95 is usually faster as traffic moves at around 70+ on "good days" on I-95, but only about 60 maximum on the Parkway.
2. Take I-295 after crossing Delaware Memorial Bridge, instead of jumping onto NJTP immediately. Save some toll. And even more importantly coming back: make sure you switch back to I-295 by Exit 4 or 6, as there's often a long backup on NJTP at the toll just before the bridge.
3. Near NYC, when the NJTP splits into the "cars only" and "cars/trucks" lanes, stay to the right and use the "cars/trucks" ones, as traffic usually flows better there. [Not all the time, but percentage wise my experience is better in the right hand lanes.] Same thing coming back.
2. Take I-295 after crossing Delaware Memorial Bridge, instead of jumping onto NJTP immediately. Save some toll. And even more importantly coming back: make sure you switch back to I-295 by Exit 4 or 6, as there's often a long backup on NJTP at the toll just before the bridge.
3. Near NYC, when the NJTP splits into the "cars only" and "cars/trucks" lanes, stay to the right and use the "cars/trucks" ones, as traffic usually flows better there. [Not all the time, but percentage wise my experience is better in the right hand lanes.] Same thing coming back.
Here's another vote for Independence Air. They're offering some great fares right now (purchase by 8/30, I think, travel must be complete by mid-December). All things considered, I think this is the way to go. If you're driving, make sure you go at "off peak" times, avoiding the rush hour periods in D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington/Philadelphia, and NYC.
Aug 26, 2004 | 1:03 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: source of weird and eccentric ideas
Posts: 40,059
I took a busline called Vamoose www.vamoosebus.com that was fine. It cost $35 I think. It picked us up downtown at one of the metro stations and deposited us at Penn Station. It was reliable, and the bus was clean and comfortable enough.
Aug 26, 2004 | 1:15 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Providence, RI USA
Programs: NWA Lowly Silver ; Priceline Whore
Posts: 138
Yet another option.. flexible.. avoids half and probably the worst part of the traffic...
Drive to Trenton.. jump on New Jersey Transit.. into New York Penn Station
Off Peak roundtrip is about $15... trains run about every 30 minutes..
Not sure about parking costs, if any.. I know several Metro North and Long Island Railroad stations have free parking on weekends...
Drive to Trenton.. jump on New Jersey Transit.. into New York Penn Station
Off Peak roundtrip is about $15... trains run about every 30 minutes..
Not sure about parking costs, if any.. I know several Metro North and Long Island Railroad stations have free parking on weekends...
Aug 26, 2004 | 1:26 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1P, AA Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 131
Not sure if you qualify, but if you are under 25, Delta has a Youth ticket on the Shuttle.
http://www.delta.com/prog_serv/delta...news/index.jsp
It's been over a year since I used this, but back in the day you had to buy packs of 4 or 8 one way tickets. They were valid for offpeak travel only, although I was able to fly standby during peak times and never had a problem. The 8 pack came to around $105 per roundtrip ticket...which IMO is worth saving the headache of driving. The NY-DC drive is one of the most painful experiences whereas the Shuttle is so pain-free. Good luck with the relationship!
http://www.delta.com/prog_serv/delta...news/index.jsp
It's been over a year since I used this, but back in the day you had to buy packs of 4 or 8 one way tickets. They were valid for offpeak travel only, although I was able to fly standby during peak times and never had a problem. The 8 pack came to around $105 per roundtrip ticket...which IMO is worth saving the headache of driving. The NY-DC drive is one of the most painful experiences whereas the Shuttle is so pain-free. Good luck with the relationship!