How to get to Valley Forge?
 

I have to get to Valley Forge for a meeting in January.
I live in Texas and have no idea what would be the best way to get there...
THEN, I plan to go to NYC.
So, DFW to Valley Forge, Valley Forge to NYC.
January. Are roads bad up there in January?
Help!
Thanks!

Valley Forge, PA??

The roads are bad sometimes if it snows but worse if it rains and then gets really cold and the roads freeze.

You can fly into Philadelphia.

If you are driving and it snows or ices, be sure to completely clear your car including the top so the top doesn't fly into another car.

I figured on flying into PHL, but what is the best way to get to Valley Forge from PHL?
Drive? Cab? Train? Bus? Metro? Commuter? Shared Shuttle?

If you are going to Valley Forge to explore the historic site, maybe a car would be best. If you are going to Valley Forge for business meetings or something (I think the name of the town is also Valley Forge, not just the historic site), maybe a taxi would be less expensive.

It is 24 miles via I-76 and I-76/PA Tpke. See freetrip.com for directions.

When you are reserving your rental car, plan to pick up at the airport but return it at 30th Street Station so you can take Amtrak to NY.

You didn't mention how you are getting back to DFW, but if you are doing NYC-PHL-DFW, take Septa's R1 line from 30th Street Station to the Philadelphia International.

Generally, driving is the best way to do it. If possible, arrange your arrival sometime in the middle of the day so that you're not battling rush-hour traffic. It can make for an unhappy drive to VF. The roads can be iffy if the weather's bad. Southeastern PA isn't terrible for winter but storms do happen.

Are you staying at a hotel near the VF Convention Center? There are several shuttles that go that route and nearby. Cost is about $25-$30 each way.

I suspect your meeting might be in King of Prussia? If you tell us the exact location it'll be easier to give you an answer. There are rail options that depend on your location and plan.

~Liz

It's the Dolce Conference Center at 301 West Dekalb near the King of Prussia Mall.

I like the idea of a shuttle because I will have 1 large heavy suitcase and a large, heavy briefcase.

KOP isn't going to be convenient to rail lines, so if you don't want to rent a car, a shuttle service would be the best bet. I haven't used an airport shuttle in years-the hotel would probably be the best source for info. I DO know that Supershuttle doesn't operate out of PHL.

~Liz

Well why didn't I think of that, Liz.
Geez!!!!
Thanks, I will just call the hotel!!!

Well, sweetie darling, The Great and Powerful Thingorjus lives about 7 miles from Valley Forge. Don't get all pissy on us because we do have a Louis Vuitton, Nieman Marcus, Hermes, and Bloomingdale's at King of Prussia.

You should rent a car at Philly airport and drive to Valley Forge. If I can drive it after drinking 14 martinis, it should be cake for you.

Do NOT get off in Conshohocken; it is dreadful.

Thin

I live 20 mintues from King of Prussia, and it's a zoo in that area most times of the day, but more so during rush hour as to be expected.

If you're going to KofP just for a meeting and nothing more, I'd consider a taxi service to take you there and pick you up, dropping you off at 30th Street Station to get the Amtrak to NYC. This should be trouble-free.

The ride from the airport is boring and congested, and the expressway isn't the best road to drive on when you're not from here (IMO), and who knows what the weather will be like at that time. Taxi drivers or the like will know exactly where they're taking you since it's a popular location here.

Hi,

I live in Phoenixville which is just 3 miles from Valley Forge.
Having just come back from PHL on Sunday I can tell you it takes about 40 minutes from PHL to Valley Forge.
It's a straight shoot down The Blue Route or The Expressway, but IMHO get a car service. I use Celebrity Limo based out of Malvern Pa.
They are great. It's about $100.00 for the trip from the airport. You can relax an enjoy the ride and not stress about driving.

Don't forget to stop by The King of Prussia Mall. Fabulous.

KS

I used to live in Texas and now live in Philly. I strongly recommend you NOT rent a car to get from the airport to your hotel, unless you're VERY good at discerning what highway to get to and what lane to be in, to get to that highway.

Getting to West I-76 (called "da Skoo-kill" by residents, even though there isn't one highway sign referring it as "Schuykill Expressway" anywhere) won't be a problem. If you're used to traffic in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin, Philly backlogs won't be MUCH worse, and you won't hear the obscenities screamed at you, anyway. It's what happens as you get closer to your destination that will be problematic. The exits are much improved over the last few years, but you can still get lost trying to ensure you get off at the right exit AND what to do after you exit. As you've already found out, there's a Valley Forge NHP AND a city called Valley Forge AND an area called the Valley Forge Convention Center -- and exiting for one will lead you completely away from the other two.

If you arrive at rush hour OR during moderately bad weather, you'll feel like a Cowboys fan at an Eagles game.

A cab ride will be expensive and probably not pleasant (we've had about 50-50 luck on good cabbies), but at least you won't get lost.

Also, I agree that rail is the best way from Philly to NYC.

if you drive, be careful not to end up on 276, the PA turnpike. It is a toll road and it is a long, long way before you can get off, pay toll, and get on going back, and pay toll. At least, when you get on it by mistake it seems like a long, long time before you can get off again.

Tropiana airport shuttle will take you right to the door of the Dolce in King of Prussia. You just go to the Land Transportation desk at the airport after you pick up your luggage and they will put you on the next shuttle to K of P. Tropiano stops at all the major hotels in the area.
I live in the area and still won't drive myself to the airport. The shuttle is painless and inexpensive.
http://www.tropianotransportation.co...20of%20Prussia
scroll down to the dolce--click and get the schedule. At the airport they run all day long.

OMG... thanks a million schmerl!!!!!
This is perfect and it really helps that someone actually knows the company.
I've been looking around and it appeared that I was doomed to pay a minimum of 75.00.
Thanks again!

Ok... now that that is figured out... how the hell do I get to the 30th street station???
How long will that take from KOP on a Saturday morning (around 10am)?

Getting back to 30th street is why I recommended renting a car. If you don't have a rental, you'll have to arrange for a service to drive you.

My family has had two bad experiences with Tropiano going from the suburbs (not too far from KoP) to the airport, and by bad experiences I mean that Tropiano never picked them up. Once might be an honest mistake, but twice is unforgiveable so I can't recommend them.

Also, just for clarification, PaulRabe spelled the name of our highway wrong-- it's Schuylkill and it's pronounced "SKOO-kul."

Finally, the "best" way to get from Philadelphia to New York can vary. If you have limited time and bigger budget (or an expense account), take Amtrak. More budget friendly, but slightly more time consuming options are Bolt or Mega Bus, or taking Septa/NJ Transit.

honestly, folks. You'd think driving in Philly is like driving in Rome. It really isn't that bad.

Honestly, if it was me, I'd rent a car. Rather than driving through the city and on 76... which admittedly can get hairy, I would go a different way.

What time do you arrive ? That makes a huge difference.

From the airport, get on 95 South. You will go about 5-8 miles. Then get on 476 North (aka the Blue Route). You will take that about 15 miles or so and get on 76 West (the infamous Schuylkill) for about 5-8 miles until King of Prussia. The exits are pretty clearly marked now. Where exactly are you going ? I can give you better directions. (I'm ballparking mileage based on memory).

Yes, you will still end up on 76, but the real problems with 76 are through the city, where exits come in and go out quickly with small ramps, and where there is virtually no shoulder and tall walls and you get that 'canyon' feeling. You could still hit traffic going 95 to 476, but it will be of normal rush hour slowdowns vs. the chaos of 76. I live near KoP and rarely use 76 to get into Philly, we use 476 and 95 (we call it the 'back way') - it is much faster usually due to no traffic.

As for the return: you have 2 options: return the rental car to 30th Street Station (I'm not totally sure if this is an option honestly). I would just return it to the airport and then take the train (it stops at the airport) to 30th Street. What is your preference ?

hi TTP

I have lived in both DFW & Philly, and driving is quite different...

If you are staying in Valley Forge for more than a day, then getting a car would be a better option, so that you can get around a bit while you're there. BTW, there are multiple car rental companies at 30th street station, so definitely rent from airport but return the car to 30th station.

Driving to 30th st station on Sat morning should not be an issue.

If you're only there for one day, one overnight, then just get a car service and forget about a car.

I agree with surfmom. Driving in Philly isn't that bad. And streets are laid out as a grid.

I also agree that the main thing is to be watch out for the exits on the interstates, they can be on either side; and the short (or sometimes non-existent) ramps on and off the older freeways.

Since TTP would be using Tropiano to get from the airport to his hotel, there wouldn't be an issue with them "picking him up"...they are always at the airport. I have never had an issue with them when I've been picked up at a hotel in King of Purria though.
To get to NY you could always get a ride to one of the nearby SEPTA Regional Rail stations and take that to 30th St. Station to get Amtrak to NY.