Author Topic: Pennsylvania Turnpike  (Read 6604 times)

Offline whYME

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #20 on: March 07, 2021, 01:42:33 AM »
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.)

Offline lcm

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #21 on: March 07, 2021, 01:50:20 AM »

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #22 on: March 07, 2021, 10:37:28 AM »
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.
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Offline Dan

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2021, 10:41:07 AM »
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.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #24 on: March 07, 2021, 10:49:05 AM »
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.

Offline bubkiz

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #25 on: March 07, 2021, 11:21:17 AM »
BTW iExit App is phenomenal for these trips.

Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #26 on: March 07, 2021, 11:31:24 AM »
@Dan is trying to figure out why anyone would even make the drive.

Offline yitzgar

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #27 on: March 07, 2021, 12:33:14 PM »
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.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #28 on: March 07, 2021, 12:34:38 PM »
@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.
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Offline Kobe Bryant

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #29 on: March 07, 2021, 02:10:38 PM »
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...

Offline lcm

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #30 on: March 07, 2021, 02:48:08 PM »


I don't think there are many more areas with 3 lanes on the turnpike, but I may be wrong.

They have been continuously working on adding a third lane to the turnpike.
Side point-they are doing it only since they want to continue charging tolls- they're only allowed to charge tolls as long as they are working on it

Offline whYME

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #31 on: March 07, 2021, 02:57:55 PM »
i80:
Easier to get off if need be, but only places worth stopping are truck stops

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.
This.

I haven't taken the PA turnpike in many years so I can't really compare the two, but having driven I80 dozens of times (mostly at night) I can assure you these concerns are being exaggerated.
The PA rest stops are kinda dated but do the job when you need a bathroom stop.

Online zh cohen

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #32 on: March 07, 2021, 07:11:27 PM »
One thing to keep in mind on the 80 is that there may not be any services off a given exit. Not sure if this is an issue in the turnpike.

Offline yitzgar

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #33 on: March 07, 2021, 07:24:19 PM »
One thing to keep in mind on the 80 is that there may not be any services off a given exit. Not sure if this is an issue in the turnpike.
Bigger issue with turnpike is if you need to exit when there isn't a service area, it's annoying to exit because of the tolls. There are also fewer exits for this reason

Offline lcm

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #34 on: March 08, 2021, 01:11:39 AM »
To summarize:
80
Pros:
straighter
Cheaper

Cons:
Mostly 2 lane
Weaker services

Turnpike:
Pros:
Decent bit of 3 lanes
Better services

Cons:
More expensive
Windier

So, take a pick at what you prefer and are willing to sacrifice, and which aspects you need further clarity on in order to decide

Offline yitzgar

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #35 on: March 08, 2021, 08:08:15 AM »
To summarize:
80
Pros:
straighter
Cheaper

Cons:
Mostly 2 lane
Weaker services

Turnpike:
Pros:
Decent bit of 3 lanes
Better services

Cons:
More expensive
Windier

So, take a pick at what you prefer and are willing to sacrifice, and which aspects you need further clarity on in order to decide
I disagree with the weaker services. Plenty of nice truck stops right off the exit on the 80

Offline aygart

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #36 on: March 08, 2021, 08:42:12 AM »
I find the Turnpike to be a more tiring drive with only a concrete divider as opposed to 80 with a median.
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline yitzgar

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #37 on: March 08, 2021, 08:59:48 AM »
I find the Turnpike to be a more tiring drive with only a concrete divider as opposed to 80 with a median.
+1 because of the opposing headlights. Parts of it have a median as well, but a good chunk doesnt

Offline Sam Finkelstein

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #38 on: March 08, 2021, 09:01:36 AM »
To summarize:
80
Pros:
straighter
Cheaper

Cons:
Mostly 2 lane
Weaker services

Turnpike:
Pros:
Decent bit of 3 lanes
Better services

Cons:
More expensive
Windier

So, take a pick at what you prefer and are willing to sacrifice, and which aspects you need further clarity on in order to decide

I disagree with the weaker services. Plenty of nice truck stops right off the exit on the 80

The services are a pretty big deal to me. Granted, I only made one stop last time I did the drive, but there's great signage regarding the next stop, fuel, etc. Even though I'll have a navigator who can look things up, it's hard to beat matching the miles remaining gauge with the distance of the next gas station. Sure, there are likely tons all along the i80, but it's not as clean an experience.

Still think I'll save the $40, though.

I find the Turnpike to be a more tiring drive with only a concrete divider as opposed to 80 with a median.

Haha. Last time I had no issues. Saved all the J&Js from Purim and finished them up on the way. Also, regular cruise control (adaptive needs to be off) is great if there isn't much traffic.
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Offline aygart

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Re: Pennsylvania Turnpike
« Reply #39 on: March 08, 2021, 09:19:33 AM »


The services are a pretty big deal to me. Granted, I only made one stop last time I did the drive,

...

Saved all the J&Js from Purim and finished them up on the way.

How can both of these b be true

Feelings don't care about your facts