Best/Fastest Routes or Cheats around tolls...

[Duke87]

Also, living in the Bronx as I now do, I shunpike the Henry Hudson Bridge all the time (via Broadway Bridge, University Heights Bridge or any of the downstream Harlem River Bridges depending on destination), though the savings is rarely in travel time.

I also regularly shunpike the Bronx-Queens crossing by using Harlem River/FDR Drive to one of the NYCDOT crossings of the East River. Sigalert helps.

Problem with using the Broadway Bridge is you will sit in plenty of slow moving traffic getting to and from it. Third/Willis Avenue Bridges are usually the best way between the Bronx and Manhattan - this is in fact so ridiculously easy to do that I'd say using the Triboro for this purpose qualifies as another "tourist exit".

Queensboro Bridge to FDR to Willis Av Bridge is easy and simple coming from Astoria or LIC but getting between anywhere further east and the Bronx it's not worth it.

[rickmastfan67]

Pittsburgh to NYC:
US 22 EB/I-99 NB/I-80 EB. With the recent upgrades of US 22, this route is at least as fast as the Turnpike and, what, 24 bucks cheaper??

Yes, US-22 has had a lot of upgrades, but you do have to suffer several traffic lights just outside of Monroeville.

I would suggest PA-28 NB > US-422 EB > US-219 SB > US-22 EB > I-99 NB > I-80 EB.

The main reason I'm suggesting that is you have one really wicked hill just after US-119 NB leaves US-22.  If your car isn't ready for it, you could be in for a world of hurt as the old road isn't there anymore because the new one was mostly built on top of it on a straighter alignment except near the top.  Plus there are less lights between Pittsburgh and I-99 on my suggested route and on a recent run between Pgh and I-99, seemed to travel it faster than your route.  And if your travels are going to be during Rush Hour in the Pittsburgh area, you can almost forget US-22 East of Monroeville as it can be a sea of red lights.

Well, yes there are a lot of upgrades and up-grades east of Monroeville, and all of the lights seem to be located at up-grades heading eastbound, so you do a lot of waiting for slower vehicles to accelerate. But, it is far better than it once was, even fairly recently, such that it becomes a viable shunpike. And coming westbound, if you hit US 22 in the evening you're even better off.

I never used any option involving PA 28 because it was a traffic and construction nightmare during the time I lived there (and certainly still is), and it was a pretty significant crosstown journey from my neighborhood to the more free-flowing stretches. But depending where you live, it could also be useful.

Well, I'm from the North Hills, hence why I suggested PA-28 since it is closer than US-22.

[empirestate]

Also, living in the Bronx as I now do, I shunpike the Henry Hudson Bridge all the time (via Broadway Bridge, University Heights Bridge or any of the downstream Harlem River Bridges depending on destination), though the savings is rarely in travel time.

I also regularly shunpike the Bronx-Queens crossing by using Harlem River/FDR Drive to one of the NYCDOT crossings of the East River. Sigalert helps.

Problem with using the Broadway Bridge is you will sit in plenty of slow moving traffic getting to and from it. Third/Willis Avenue Bridges are usually the best way between the Bronx and Manhattan - this is in fact so ridiculously easy to do that I'd say using the Triboro for this purpose qualifies as another "tourist exit".

Agreed, in some cases, except for two things:

1) If you're headed to the GW Bridge, then 3rd/Willis Ave. are too far south to be of help (and the GW Bridge is toll free in this direction).

2) If you are headed south of the GW Bridge, the current construction project at the I-87/I-95 interchange may well make it worth bypassing via Harlem River Drive...via the Broadway or Univ. Heights Bridges. Then again, you've got to weigh the construction at HRD/Triborough Bridge, which also involves the Willis Ave. Bridge.

There is indeed a lot of congestion at both the Broadway and Univ. Heights Bridges, so depending on your origin and destination, and the time of day, it can be very much an "on the fly" decision.

Queensboro Bridge to FDR to Willis Av Bridge is easy and simple coming from Astoria or LIC but getting between anywhere further east and the Bronx it's not worth it.

Yup, I've done that for just that destination (needed a haircut from a barber in Astoria) and it worked well. I fully realize, however, that it could very well not have.
Post Merge: October 13, 2011, 01:56:33 AM

Well, I'm from the North Hills, hence why I suggested PA-28 since it is closer than US-22.

Yup, that would definitely make the difference. Pittsburgh, perhaps more than most other cities, makes a very large difference according to your origin and destination, as far as which route you'll take in and out of town.

[Duke87]

If you are headed south of the GW Bridge, the current construction project at the I-87/I-95 interchange may well make it worth bypassing via Harlem River Drive...via the Broadway or Univ. Heights Bridges. Then again, you've got to weigh the construction at HRD/Triborough Bridge, which also involves the Willis Ave. Bridge.

Bruckner.

But I'm coming from Connecticut. I suppose that doesn't work too well if you're already over to the west.

[Laura]

Surprised no one's mentioned DE 2/4/896 around the toll entering/leaving DE on I-95...given how badly traffic backs up here, using those roads to dodge the toll is much faster than waiting it out...

Absolutely.  Here are some more MD toll related ones:
NB Susquehanna - I tend to leave Baltimore on 1, but 95-24-1 can work.  Follow 273 back into DE and either go straight to 95 or cut down 896.  Kills two tolls with one stone.
Baltimore - I only know this one SB, but I imagine it's similar NB - 95S to 895S, first exit to Moravia Rd.  Make a left, take 40 West through Baltimore, make another left onto 395 or 295 and continue south.

No offense, but I did that back in 1998 (the Tydings Bridge bypass) and that was the most circuitous route I have ever seen.  The toll on the bridge at the time was only $4 Northbound.

That's because all the locals know that the "real" shunpike of the Tydings Bridge from the southside of Harford County is the US 40 Hatem Bridge! Unfortunately, it may not last much longer as we know it. Ever since the transportation blogger for the Sun paper revealed its existence, the state has been looking for ways to either increase the prices of the annual bridge-crossing stickers tremendously or eliminate them altogether. (Which is why I'm partially hesistant to talk about it myself)

Since I live on the northern side of Harford County, I always take US 1 over the Conowingo Dam as a default. It would seem silly to do the 95-24-1 route only to head back to DE. That route is a great shunpike, though, if you are heading for NE or SEPA or any points north.

Also, there's a route missing before DE 2/4/896: MD 279. This is the critical exit in MD right before the DE line that takes one from (and southbound, back to) I-95.

[hobsini2]

I guess it all depends on timing. When I went to Fort Wayne back in June, I hit almost all of the red lights.

Stoplights aside, this is also a good toll-free alternative from Chicago to NYC (via 71N, 76E, and 80E).

I have used this route as well to get to NYC and New London CT via I-81N-84E-CT 11/2

[Bickendan]

Hood River Bridge or Bridge of the Gods: Good luck.

[roadman65]

The most convenient shunpike I have encountered is Interstate 95 and the Florida's Turnpike between the Golden Glades interchange and Fort Pierce.  Depending on traffic, and I live to avoid south Florida traffic, I will actually prefer the Turnpike over Interstate 95.

How about US 27?  It is slightly longer, but mostly 65 mph.  Plenty of towns with motels, gas, and food.  It is used by truckers to avoid the Turnpike tolls.  Only between Lake Wales and Clermont is troublesome with the development boom there causing many traffic signals and local traffic there.

Make sure that you have plenty of gas as from Griffin Road to South Bay there are NO FUEL stops for almost 50 miles!

[xcellntbuy]

Very true and a well-used route by the trucking industry.  Nothing but large power lines, sawgrass, cat tails and sugar.  BIG lake in the middle.

[SteveG1988]

If you are going between edison NJ and Trenton, taking US-130 is a viable option at night, I was on it at midnight, and it was about as fast as taking the turnpike up there.

In southern NJ, depending on time of year of course, US30/US322 can be a viable alternative to the atlantic city expressway, there are lights but it does not cost anything to take and saves you 3.75 in tolls.

NJ55 can save you money if you are coming from camden, to head down to cape may, just be aware NJ47 can be nasty in the summer.

In PA if you are heading west from philly to toledo ohio for example, I used 476 to head over to I80, saving a good bit in tolls, yes you can take PA611 up there too, but the speed on 476 makes up for it

[jas]

If you are going between edison NJ and Trenton, taking US-130 is a viable option at night, I was on it at midnight, and it was about as fast as taking the turnpike up there.

In southern NJ, depending on time of year of course, US30/US322 can be a viable alternative to the atlantic city expressway, there are lights but it does not cost anything to take and saves you 3.75 in tolls.

NJ55 can save you money if you are coming from camden, to head down to cape may, just be aware NJ47 can be nasty in the summer.

In PA if you are heading west from philly to toledo ohio for example, I used 476 to head over to I80, saving a good bit in tolls, yes you can take PA611 up there too, but the speed on 476 makes up for it

Due to my dislike for the NJTpke in general, I'd routinely use US-130 to get to I-295 if I was headed towards the Del. Mem. Bridge. 

[yakra]

NJTP and 295 both have interchanges at Bordentown. Not too long of a Breezewood between`em.

[jas]

NJTP and 295 both have interchanges at Bordentown. Not too long of a Breezewood between`em.

Once I-195 was connected to I-295, it was only about 8 minutes or so to reach the Bordentown area.  So, I'd just jump on I-195 to get to I-295.

[cpzilliacus]

Using that route, you'd have still paid a toll on I-95 in Delaware.  And the same route would have 3 tolls on the return trip north.

[ This is the revival of an old thread - thought it might be useful for some members. ]

Alternatives to paying the $4.00 (more for commercial vehicles) Delaware Turnpike tolls - in other words, how to shunpike the tolled part of the Delaware Turnpike - or how to avoid paying tolls on I-95 in Delaware).

Northbound:

1. "Traditional" route is MD-279 (Exit 109) north into Delaware (becomes DEL-279, formerly DEL-2); right turn onto DEL-4/DEL-896 (Christiana Parkway); another right turn  (follow DEL-896 southbound) onto S. College Avenue) back to I-95 northbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6420436,-75.8097038/39.6465115,-75.7473258/@39.6485882,-75.8097915,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7967827!2d39.6462465!3s0x89c7a92fc4aa2ae7:0xad735eeee84d1348!1m0!3e0


2.  MD-279 (Exit 109) south to quick left on Belle Hill Road, go past the Waffle House; right on Muddy Lane and under the Amtrak Northeast Corridor railroad tracks; left on MD-281 (Red Hill Road - becomes Old Baltimore Pike in Delaware); left on DEL-896 (S. College Avenue); back to I-95 northbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles and has a low overhead clearance bridge on Muddy Lane).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6420225,-75.8098669/39.6467718,-75.7412803/@39.6302081,-75.812578,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-75.8065233!2d39.6357983!3s0x89c7a8d532163f49:0xd00105c004371f32!1m0!3e0

3. MD-279 (Exit 109) north to a right on Iron Hill Road (small street after PFG warehouse complex, before Delaware border); left on Chestnut Hill Road; to a right on DEL-896 (S. College Avenue); and back to I-95 northbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles, works for southbound movements by using a jughandle ramp from northbound 896 to westbound Chestnut Hill).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6419776,-75.809747/39.6463133,-75.7476262/@39.6412903,-75.8130291,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7903887!2d39.642709!3s0x89c7a92464138b9d:0x4680ff1db1bcd270!1m0!3e0

4. MD-272 (Exit 100) south to a left on U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) east; stay on U.S. 40 through Elkton into Delaware; left onto DEL-896 (S. College Avenue) north; and back to I-95 northbound (should be legal for most commercial vehicles, but this is a longer detour).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6283631,-75.9636844/39.6461995,-75.7443382/@39.5941674,-75.9855224,11z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-75.8311123!2d39.6010631!3s0x89c7af6037053885:0xf563ac13b9e00b64!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7851531!2d39.6061896!3s0x89c7a8bd142c0cd9:0x47ff21d6d77882cb!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7423528!2d39.6071949!3s0x89c7a86bc9640691:0x82cf8ab94d0c39df!1m0!3e0

Southbound:

5. "Traditional" route is exiting I-95 at DEL-896 (Exit 1) northbound; to a left on DEL-4/DEL-896 (Christiana Parkway); to another left on DEL-279 (Elkton Road, formerly DEL-2) back to I-95 southbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6478112,-75.7376181/39.6426716,-75.8039117/@39.6470782,-75.8055534,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7542199!2d39.6586943!3s0x89c7a99b8401f815:0x8e31253ade6a220c!1m0!3e0

6. Exit I-95 at DEL-896 (Exit 1) southbound; to a right on Old Baltimore Pike; west on Old Baltimore Pike into Maryland (becomes MD-281); right on Muddy Lane; left on Belle Hill Road; right on MD-279; return to I-95 southbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles and has a low overhead clearance bridge on Muddy Lane).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6478112,-75.7376181/39.6413284,-75.7994385/@39.6327933,-75.8092548,13z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7633869!2d39.6291207!3s0x89c7a8ff02d907bb:0x403b2013a6ba3bba!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7996661!2d39.6266383!3s0x89c7a8ce1f61cb85:0x3018c00d369ede9!1m0!3e0

7. Exit I-95 at DEL-896 (Exit 1) northbound;  stay in right lane;  take jughandle ramp on right just after Chestnut Hill Road to make a left turn; follow Chestnut Hill to the signal at Otts Chapel Road and turn right there.  Take Otts Chapel north to its terminus at DEL-279 (Elkton Road) and turn left (south). DEL-279 becomes MD-279, continue to entrance ramp to I-95 southbound (illegal for most commercial vehicles).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6471243,-75.7419763/39.6424771,-75.8044246/@39.64495,-75.806832,13z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7511154!2d39.6547467!3s0x89c7a999a2efe6c9:0xd4a655cc3058ccbb!3m4!1m2!1d-75.75255!2d39.654857!3s0x89c7a99972e294bd:0x4a82431d3372c934!3m4!1m2!1d-75.783742!2d39.65701!3s0x89c7a96abb62b361:0x33f61a6ca278c562!1m0!3e0

Note that taking Chestnut Hill Road to Iron Hill Road to MD-279 is not advised, because it is a difficult turn from Iron Hill Road to MD-279 southbound (there's no signal at this  intersection).

Thanks to MTantillo for comments and corrections regarding this shunpike route.

8. Exit I-95 at DEL-896 (Exit 1) southbound; to a right turn at U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) west; follow U.S. 40 through Elkton; turn right at MD-272 (North East Road); and return to I-95 southbound (should be legal for most commercial vehicles, but this is a longer detour).

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.6472652,-75.7407913/39.6341476,-75.954202/@39.6094561,-75.9651079,11z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-75.7455008!2d39.6143792!3s0x89c7a843875cef87:0x3e3659fe13c890c1!3m4!1m2!1d-75.9101169!2d39.6108095!3s0x89c7b0079a76f60f:0xaea5c910be8c11eb!3m4!1m2!1d-75.9480252!2d39.6093455!3s0x89c7ba7ddc5a9e8b:0x5136e6da69938731!1m0!3e0

[roadman65]

Willis Avenue Bridge to shunpike the Triborough Bridge if traveling from Manhattan and the Bronx.  Then the Third Avenue Bridge from the Bronx to Manhattan to avoid the hefty tolls the MTA implements as well.


I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

[Rothman]

Willis Avenue Bridge to shunpike the Triborough Bridge if traveling from Manhattan and the Bronx.  Then the Third Avenue Bridge from the Bronx to Manhattan to avoid the hefty tolls the MTA implements as well.

When I discovered this years ago, it was like a whole new wonderful world has been revealed.  Driving into Manhattan became a totally refreshed and enjoyable experience.

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

[hotdogPi]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

[Rothman]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

Right, but I am wondering what the "times" were that he was referring to.

[hotdogPi]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

Right, but I am wondering what the "times" were that he was referring to.

"at times" meaning "sometimes".

[Max Rockatansky]

I'll throw in one of my favorites from Florida that largely bypasses most of Florida's Turnpike and Miami.

-  From Orlando take FL 15/CR 15 to US 192/US 441
-  Use US 441 South to Okeechobee.
-  Cut east on FL 70 east of Okeechobee and then FL 710. 
-  Cross over to US 98/US 441 on SE 86th Blvd and continue south.
-  In Pahokee cut south on FL 715 and then west on FL 80 to US 27.
-  Take US 27 south to reach Miami and/or Florida's Turnpike if you want.  FL 997 can be used to bypass the city completely but it doesn't really save much time unless you are in the 7-10 AM rush hour period.

From Tampa it's pretty simple, just stay on FL 60 east to US 441 south at Yeehaw Junction where the rest of the route above can be followed.  Even if you jumped off the Turnpike heading south out of Orlando on FL 60 it would still be in the same neighborhood time wise to reach Miami or the Keys...and you would avoid some of the larger toll fees.  The route is considerably more scenic traversing Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades too.  For what it's worth given that there is usually two or three traffic bogs in Miami I've always found that avoiding the Turnpike as possible either broke you even or saved some significant time.  Plus, I'm not the biggest fan of driving around cities anymore with commuters flooding the roads.

Like wise US 27 is a fantastic alternate to I-75 and Alligator Alley from the Tampa area to Miami.  US 27 basically is a divided expressway most of the time and there isn't much traffic asides from truckers who are in the know.

[roadman65]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

Right, but I am wondering what the "times" were that he was referring to.

"at times" meaning "sometimes".

Times meaning figure of speech for in my times of travel. 

Sometimes I feel that I do not wish to spend extra time (literal meaning) traveling the busy I-95 or I-295 that I do not mind paying the toll.  Other instances I am not pressured for time, or just feel like clinching other roads than the Turnpike.

Its all in the mood. I do not always religiously follow the shunpike, but there are times when I just feel like not paying the tolls.

[Rothman]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

Right, but I am wondering what the "times" were that he was referring to.

"at times" meaning "sometimes".

Times meaning figure of speech for in my times of travel. 

Sometimes I feel that I do not wish to spend extra time (literal meaning) traveling the busy I-95 or I-295 that I do not mind paying the toll.  Other instances I am not pressured for time, or just feel like clinching other roads than the Turnpike.

Its all in the mood. I do not always religiously follow the shunpike, but there are times when I just feel like not paying the tolls.

Gotcha.  Thanks.

[jeffandnicole]

I-295 or I-95 in PA to avoid the NJ Turnpike in South Jersey.  May not be the fastest, but sure is the best and worth the extra time and miles at times.

Under what conditions?  NJ Turnpike that far south is pretty tame, traffic-wise, unless something is going on with the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Avoiding the Turnpike to avoid the toll, not to avoid traffic.

Right, but I am wondering what the "times" were that he was referring to.

"at times" meaning "sometimes".

Especially on busy travel weekends the NJ Turnpike can be slow-going in this area between 4 & 1.  It can be slow going SB during weekday rush hours...although it's slower on 295 (and 95) so that's not the best/fastest route at that time.

Even when there's an issue in Delaware that backs traffic up into NJ, usually the backup on the NJ Turnpike is longer than on 295 so it pays in time to be on 295.  And it's a slight bit easier to jump off 295 onto 140 then 130 to the bridge to possibly save another few minutes.

Of course, the NJ Turnpike used to cheat itself due to congestion at the old Interchange 1 toll plaza, and would often close the highway southbound at Interchange 4, forcing people to 295 anyway.  I haven't heard of that happening over the past decade since the new toll plaza was built, except for accidents which close the Turnpike. 

[empirestate]

Willis Avenue Bridge to shunpike the Triborough Bridge if traveling from Manhattan and the Bronx.  Then the Third Avenue Bridge from the Bronx to Manhattan to avoid the hefty tolls the MTA implements as well.

That's what we're talking about 10-15 posts back.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3185.msg118433#msg118433

[doorknob60]

Hood River Bridge or Bridge of the Gods: Good luck.

I shunpike this all the time. Coming from Idaho going up to Trout Lake, WA, I just take US-197. About the same mileage, haven't timed it but WA-14 is pretty quick (60 MPH Speed Limit vs. 65 on I-84, generally light traffic). If anything, it's a nice change of pace after being on I-84 for hours.

If I'm going from Trout Lake to Portland, though, I generally use the bridge rather than going west to Vancouver. And obviously, if you're traveling from White Salmon or Trout Lake to Hood River (which is very common for people that live in those places), you're right, good luck