I am coming from the midwest and staying with relatives near Stamford, Connecticut. My daughter has an appointment on Tuesday at 1:00pm in Philadelphia. It seems like I should have plenty of time to drive there on Tuesday morning, but I am nervous about traffic. I am planning on taking the Tappan Zee Bridge. As long as there are no major accidents, should I have plenty of time? How long should it take?

From Stamford, I'd guess it will take 2-3 hours, and maybe more with a bit of traffic.

Rethinking my post I think it will be more like 3 hours.

I would allow at betw 3-4 hours for an app't and hope to be there early rather than late. You can always walk around Phillie or get lunch if the traffic gods are with you and you have extra time on your hands. there's lots of construction on many roads in Conn, NY and NJ right now and you can't always predict where or how long the tie-ups could be. It took me a half hour to get across the Bronx to the George Washington Bridge yesterday at 10AM--a distance of about 10 miles or less which generally takes me less than 10 minutes at that hour. You should consider the train if you're going back to Stamford and timing is important. It's much easier to plan your time that way.

Thank you for your help. I was thinking 3 hours, but wasn't sure how traffic could affect the time. I'm sure I will leave early just in case.

The drive is about 3 hours to Center City with no traffic issues and keeping up a good clip on the NJT.

Keep in mind you also need to reserve time for parking and walking to the appointment. For example, for a medical appointment (e.g., at CHOP, HUP, Jeff, Hahnemann) I would factor at least 10 minutes. HUP is a partiularly long walk from garage to many physicians' offices.

Also, our city is Philly, not Phillie.

If the appointment matters leave 4 hours for the drive. And do check the traffic reports in advance - since bad weather or major accident can make it take 5 hours.

Three hours is cutting it very close - assuming you have absolutely clear sailing all the way - and that's VERY unlikely.

I've driven between Philly to Stamford, and I agree three hours will be cutting it VERY close. To get traffic reports as you go through New York, listen to 1010 AM for "Traffic on the Ones." As you head down towards Philly, listen to 1060 AM for "Traffic on the Twos."