<p>Any folks out there regularly travel I-81 north of Hazleton? My sympathies, if you do. (It’s amazing how Penndot can be constantly working on the thing and never finish.) I’m hoping there are alternatives to spending an extra 2 hours on the road when I take d3 down to college this weekend. Any suggestions welcome!</p>
<p>When I made the drive earlier this month, it took 5 hours to get from Syracuse to Hazleton, when it usually takes just over three. There were lane closures north of Wilkes-Barre and through the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton corridor, and a really horrific major construction area just north of Hazleton. I was traveling late afternoon/early evening on a Friday, so I don’t even want to think about what it could be like during a regular business day.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about getting on 11 South once we get into PA, then taking the Northeast Extension (476) to 315, then getting on 309. I’d like to take that to McAdoo and get back on 81 there. But it doesn’t look as if 315 intersects with 309, so I’d be taking some back roads for a bit, and that makes me nervous. Also, I think that route would take me through something called the Nescopeck Pass. Hoping that’s not similar to the Donner Pass …</p>
<p>Coming back, I’m going to get on 15 north in VA and just stay on the thing all the way into NY. I don’t care if that adds 2 hours to the trip because d won’t be with me, I’ll have some nice books on tape, and I like taking roads I’ve never been on before. D is all about getting there ASAP (which she got from her father).</p>
<p>Taking DS to school in NY we used to travel I81 from SW Virginia to Harrisburg PA, then take 322, then 11, then I180 to 15. The section of 15 from Williamsport (home of the Little League Museum) to Corning NY is the “future I99 corridor” and was not a bad drive.</p>
<p>I experienced pretty bad delays there a couple of weeks ago. Going north wasn’t as bad but coming home south around Scranton I missed the exit I needed and stayed on 81 S which brought me west to 80 and added an hour to my normally 3 hour trip.</p>
<p>I’m not sure of your starting point and ending point but, assuming you are starting in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, I would suggest 476 (NE extension) South to 78 in Allentown, and then 78 west over to 81 in Harrisburg. Are you going to SW Virginia?? </p>
<p>I am very familiar with 309 - do not take it! There are bits and pieces that are expressway-like, but for the most part it’s the main route through towns, complete with stop lights and traffic. Close to me, it’s down to one lane each way with guaranteed back-ups just about any time of day due to major construction. </p>
<p>78 can be construction laden also, but there is a nice alternate route (route 22) parallel to it for most of the way that makes it almost easy to get off and on if you see construction signs.</p>
<p>Alternately, and not knowing your end destination (Charlottesville?), Instead of heading directly south in Scranton Wilkes-Barre, if you head further West on route 80, then you could take route 15 south, South of Williamsport. I took 80 just a couple of weeks ago to visit Lycoming and Penn State and thought it was a wonderful road, much nicer then the turnpike, 78 or 81. </p>
<p>Too bad there is not an alternate route through Western VA. besides 81. My son is supposed to be driving up today or tomorrow and will be taking 81 from Roanoke and then 78 through PA, so I can tell you what the road conditions are for that part after he gets home.</p>
<p>I live near Binghamton, and my husband drives to Wilkes-Barre once or twice a week, so I know exactly what you’re talking about!</p>
<p>I’m afraid I can’t speak to the 315/309 part of your trip, but taking Route 11 to 476 is a good idea. Traveling north on the way home from a vacation a few weeks ago, we got on 11 just north of Scranton (Clarks Summit) and then got back on 81 at Hallstead/Great Bend, just south of the state line. We were really glad we did that.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! I’m so glad I posted this question - I never would have thought of taking 78 or 80. I was hoping to get back on 81 south of Hazleton to Harrisburg so that we could take advantage of the higher speed limit for an hour or so. It looks as if we could take 476 to 80 West to 81, but that would put us back on 81 at milepost 151, and I think there’s still construction for a few miles at that point. The Penndot website is of very little help - no surprise there.</p>
<p>We’re heading for Williamsburg, so we usually go as far south as Harrisburg on 81 before either taking 83 toward DC or 15 toward Gettysburg, which I prefer. Hope your son’s trip goes well, kathiep! Thanks again for the help, all.</p>
<p>Son got home late Wednesday night and said the only problem with the drive was the weather. Lot’s of cloudbursts, some so bad he had to pull over and wait for them to pass. He took 81 and 78. He said there was no major construction that made him detour, but he was driving primarily in the evening.</p>
<p>I feel your pain - I was stuck in that mess going to the NASCAR race a couple of weeks ago, so I took the 15 way back - that project is DONE to the NY state line just south of Corning, so it is a quicker way for me now actually. If you take the little jog west on I-80 once you get to Hazleton and get on I-180 to Williamsport you get on 15 for the rest of the way, and it is all four lane highway. I remember when it was two lanes for a good deal of it and it took forever!</p>
<p>I am going to NJ next weekend so I am staying on 17 east from Binghamton rather than get into that I-81 mess. Wonder when it is ever going to be done??? Let that be a warning to anyone moving in to Syracuse, Cornell, or any other schools around here</p>
<p>I just returned to Maryland after dropping off a student at Cornell. The trip up was OK, although there were some slow spots due to construction. I think the drive took about a half hour longer than usual. The trip back was awful – at least 2 hours longer than usual.</p>
<p>I wish I had known about alternatives to I-81!</p>
<p>I am sitting near Hazleton (not in a car) as I type. I don’t think you are going to find anything like Donner Pass in the Poconos. :)</p>
<p>Anyone traveling on 81 in Virginia. DO NOT SPEED. We saw a ton of cops last weekend, and remember WildChild’s huge ticket a few years ago that resulted in a conviction with a night in jail.</p>
<p>I agree about enforcement in VA on 81. It also seems very apparent just south of Richmond on 95. Happy trails to everyone hitting the road over the next few weeks!</p>