Pennsylvania Turnpike

[Sam Finkelstein]

It can get really annoying when there are two lanes and the truck going 46 MPH is cutting off the truck that is going 45 MPH and the highway is clogged for 15 minutes while the truck inches its way around.

In normal times, are there lots of cars overnight?

[YitzyS]

In normal times, are there lots of cars overnight?

Not in my experience. It's usually zero traffic when driving in the overnight hours.

[Sam Finkelstein]

I've done both. If you are traveling with little kids that may need bathroom breaks, the turnpike is definitely better, and I usually take it despite the tolls. However, I would easily go with the 80 if I'm doing an overnight drive, when I'm not expecting to make too many stops.

Trip will be with a newborn, postpartum mother, and teenage helper. Hoping to do overnight, but will need to see. Expecting to need frequent stops.

[YitzyS]

Trip will be with a newborn, postpartum mother, and teenage helper. Hoping to do overnight, but will need to see. Expecting to need frequent stops.

Turnpike is also not great for those who need frequent stops, as there can be anywhere between 20 and 60 minutes between rest areas. I've had experiences when my kid will go "I need the bathroom emergency" right after passing a rest area and there is 60 miles to the next one.

But the actual experience of taking kids in and/or diapering them, or taking them to stretch their legs, I find better on the turnpike rest areas.

[Palm5]

If you do the turnpike, you'll have to make a stop in pit to tour the site of @Dan and @jj1000's chinuch

Wightman Street?

[whYME]

In normal times, are there lots of cars overnight?

No.

I've done it dozens of times and I've never had an issue of too much traffic. (cars or trucks.)

[lcm]

Wightman Street?

Yup

[Sam Finkelstein]

Thanks everyone for their input. So this is what I'm understanding:

PA Turnpike:
Nice rest areas, but they can be up to an hour apart and you can't just exit the highway
$40 toll

i80:
Easier to get off if need be, but only places worth stopping are truck stops

Both highways are pretty much the same, traffic- and speeding-wise. PA Turnpike has a bit more curves.

[Dan]

Thanks everyone for their input. So this is what I'm understanding:

PA Turnpike:
Nice rest areas, but they can be up to an hour apart and you can't just exit the highway
$40 toll

i80:
Easier to get off if need be, but only places worth stopping are truck stops

Both highways are pretty much the same, traffic- and speeding-wise. PA Turnpike has a bit more curves.

Sounds like save the $40 to me.

[YitzyS]

Thanks everyone for their input. So this is what I'm understanding:

PA Turnpike:
Nice rest areas, but they can be up to an hour apart and you can't just exit the highway
$40 toll

i80:
Easier to get off if need be, but only places worth stopping are truck stops

Both highways are pretty much the same, traffic- and speeding-wise. PA Turnpike has a bit more curves.

I don't know if the i80 is easier to get off. The exits can also be pretty far in between and then you have to look for a gas station or something with a bathroom.

Also, IIRC, the turnpike has a lot less 2-lane areas, thus being better in terms of

It can get really annoying when there are two lanes and the truck going 46 MPH is cutting off the truck that is going 45 MPH and the highway is clogged for 15 minutes while the truck inches its way around.

[bubkiz]

BTW iExit App is phenomenal for these trips.

[Kobe Bryant]

@Dan is trying to figure out why anyone would even make the drive.

[yitzgar]

I don't know if the i80 is easier to get off. The exits can also be pretty far in between and then you have to look for a gas station or something with a bathroom.

Also, IIRC, the turnpike has a lot less 2-lane areas, thus being better in terms of

There are occasional large breaks between exits with services, but ime not much different than the turnpike. What it comes down to is will there be a bathroom when your kids need it (which is right after you got back on after the last exit, and the answer is probably not;)
I don't think there are many more areas with 3 lanes on the turnpike, but I may be wrong.

[Sam Finkelstein]

@Dan is trying to figure out why anyone would even make the drive.

I actually have more than enough miles to do the trip, but there are other logistical concerns that make this the preferred way to travel.

[Kobe Bryant]

I actually have more than enough miles to do the trip, but there are other logistical concerns that make this the preferred way to travel.

I’m not one to question...