How long to drive from Philadelphia to EWR?
Jan 26th, 2007, 07:16 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would allow 2.5 hours to be safe.
Traffic on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway can both be unpredictable.
In summer, going south on a Friday would be worse, but you'll be coming North so no predictable impact there.
Traffic on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway can both be unpredictable.
In summer, going south on a Friday would be worse, but you'll be coming North so no predictable impact there.
Jan 26th, 2007, 07:19 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depends what part of Philly you are leaving from. I just did a real quick route planner on Streets and trip and made your starting point the Phila Inter Airport to Newark.
Miles = 89.8
Time = 1Hr 23 minutes
But at 5 pm, that trip could take much longer depending on traffic.
Miles = 89.8
Time = 1Hr 23 minutes
But at 5 pm, that trip could take much longer depending on traffic.
Jan 26th, 2007, 07:38 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, here's the situation...
My wife and I are flying to Paris on a Friday in October. While I would prefer to fly directly out of Philly, we would enjoy a considerable savings (over $500) if we flew out of Newark.
The problem is we can not leave the city (University City area) until 5 PM. Our flight would leave at 10 PM, so my first reaction was that this won't be a problem. However, as I thought about it, I realized I really had no idea just how much traffic to expect, and what impact it would have for our route (NJ Turnpike). I was guessing the trip would take an additional hour with traffic, and early responses seem to agree with me.
Any other thoughts?
My wife and I are flying to Paris on a Friday in October. While I would prefer to fly directly out of Philly, we would enjoy a considerable savings (over $500) if we flew out of Newark.
The problem is we can not leave the city (University City area) until 5 PM. Our flight would leave at 10 PM, so my first reaction was that this won't be a problem. However, as I thought about it, I realized I really had no idea just how much traffic to expect, and what impact it would have for our route (NJ Turnpike). I was guessing the trip would take an additional hour with traffic, and early responses seem to agree with me.
Any other thoughts?
Jan 26th, 2007, 07:44 AM
#8
That sounds like you will have plenty of time. Leave at 5 and arrive by 8 at the latest and that still gives you a nice window to make your flight.
We live west of Philadelphia, and we are doing the same thing in June for the first time. Our flight is Newark to Venice on a Friday night. I'll let you know how that goes.
We live west of Philadelphia, and we are doing the same thing in June for the first time. Our flight is Newark to Venice on a Friday night. I'll let you know how that goes.
Jan 26th, 2007, 07:46 AM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll be comfortable on time. Generally it takes a little under 2 hours for me to drive to Philly from home (I live near EWR) and reverse = same timing pretty much.
2.5 hours will get you there fine even if there's volume traffic on the roads.
2.5 hours will get you there fine even if there's volume traffic on the roads.
Jan 26th, 2007, 08:23 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
stevefrat-
i highly recommend taking transit.
I checked the timetables for you.
If you leave Philly (30th St. station) at 5:40pm you will be in Trenton at 6:30pm.
An easy change in Trenton to the NJ Transit train that comes at 6:40pm and you are at Newark Airport one hour later at 7:41pm.
Plenty of time and no car parking hassle. The monorail is easy to navigate and takes you right to your terminal.
Of course this works best for able-bodied people & those that don't bring more luggage that they can carry...
have a great trip, whatever way you go.
i highly recommend taking transit.
I checked the timetables for you.
If you leave Philly (30th St. station) at 5:40pm you will be in Trenton at 6:30pm.
An easy change in Trenton to the NJ Transit train that comes at 6:40pm and you are at Newark Airport one hour later at 7:41pm.
Plenty of time and no car parking hassle. The monorail is easy to navigate and takes you right to your terminal.
Of course this works best for able-bodied people & those that don't bring more luggage that they can carry...
have a great trip, whatever way you go.
Jan 26th, 2007, 08:44 AM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
NJriverchick,
Thanks! We haven't ruled out the SEPTA/NJ Transit route. We do have a couple of concerns about it. First, having had to commute from Center City to Levittown for several years before we moved into the city, we know the R7 can be very crowded during rush hour. While we will be traveling light, we're still going to have some luggage with us. Second, after a 9 hour return flight, it would be nice to just jump in our car and go.
Like I said, though, we haven't ruled it out. It might very well be the best option.
Thanks! We haven't ruled out the SEPTA/NJ Transit route. We do have a couple of concerns about it. First, having had to commute from Center City to Levittown for several years before we moved into the city, we know the R7 can be very crowded during rush hour. While we will be traveling light, we're still going to have some luggage with us. Second, after a 9 hour return flight, it would be nice to just jump in our car and go.
Like I said, though, we haven't ruled it out. It might very well be the best option.
Jan 26th, 2007, 09:56 AM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leaving yourself 2.5 hours should be enough. but then you have to leave time for parking your car, getting to the terminal etc.
However, that said I have had it take more than 4 hours from near Trenton to Newark a couple of times (once a bad accident, twice bad weather and several fender benders and once part of a prefab house fell off it's trailer and blocked the truck lanes - putting all of them in the car lanes).
However, that said I have had it take more than 4 hours from near Trenton to Newark a couple of times (once a bad accident, twice bad weather and several fender benders and once part of a prefab house fell off it's trailer and blocked the truck lanes - putting all of them in the car lanes).
Jan 26th, 2007, 10:07 AM
#15
Aside to stevefrat: Hey, I grew up in Levittown - Thornridge to be exact. Lucky you to be living in the city now. We're thinking of moving in once the kids are through high school.
I will try to remember to include the detail of the drive up to Newark in my trip report when I get back.
I will try to remember to include the detail of the drive up to Newark in my trip report when I get back.
Jan 26th, 2007, 10:34 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you should be fine with the 3 hours you'll need to make that trip.
If there is a spot where traffic could get bad it might be on the portion of the Turnpike below exit 7/7A when the truck and car lanes combine. Once you're past that portion, it should be fine especially as it won't be in the summer.
I do agree that the train option may be the best one, though.
If there is a spot where traffic could get bad it might be on the portion of the Turnpike below exit 7/7A when the truck and car lanes combine. Once you're past that portion, it should be fine especially as it won't be in the summer.
I do agree that the train option may be the best one, though.
Jan 26th, 2007, 10:46 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 25,877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, let me say this: Spend the extra $500 and leave from Philadelphia.
I lived in Philly in the past and had done the same thing as you before - save a few hundred bucks to fly out from EWR.
If you add on the extra cost (be it parking $ or train tix), the time you "wasted" on the road commuting to EWR and back, plus the headaches you have (your trip is in October and you'll be worrying nonstop from now until then), you'll realize that $500 is not a whole lot more to pay.
If you do choose to take the train, please splurge and take the Amtrak instead. I've had experiences when the SEPTA runs late and the NJT train in Trenton decides not to wait for the SEPTA train and everyone gets stranded in Trenton for 30mins until the next train arrives.
Anyway, if you fly out of EWR, you'll spend at least 3 hours just getting from Philadelphia to EWR, and then you still have another 9 hours of flight to follow. Spend the $500, you and your wife will be happier.
I lived in Philly in the past and had done the same thing as you before - save a few hundred bucks to fly out from EWR.
If you add on the extra cost (be it parking $ or train tix), the time you "wasted" on the road commuting to EWR and back, plus the headaches you have (your trip is in October and you'll be worrying nonstop from now until then), you'll realize that $500 is not a whole lot more to pay.
If you do choose to take the train, please splurge and take the Amtrak instead. I've had experiences when the SEPTA runs late and the NJT train in Trenton decides not to wait for the SEPTA train and everyone gets stranded in Trenton for 30mins until the next train arrives.
Anyway, if you fly out of EWR, you'll spend at least 3 hours just getting from Philadelphia to EWR, and then you still have another 9 hours of flight to follow. Spend the $500, you and your wife will be happier.
Jan 26th, 2007, 11:06 AM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hm. $500 is quite a lot of money though.
But here's another reason why you may want to do it. The 10pm EWR-CDG on Continental is usually a 757 (at least according to current timetable for October). It's one of the least comfortable plane one can fly across the Atlantic.
But here's another reason why you may want to do it. The 10pm EWR-CDG on Continental is usually a 757 (at least according to current timetable for October). It's one of the least comfortable plane one can fly across the Atlantic.
Jan 26th, 2007, 12:26 PM
#20
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I definitely would consider taking the train if you are going to do this. For one thing, the stress of traffic concerns, etc. would make leaving very hectic. Plus, long-term parking is not cheap! Unless you're hauling a lot of luggage, I would play it safe and stick with either NJ Transit or Amtrak.
