<p>It turns out that I am going to be driving from CT to IN next weekend (21st and 22nd. I would start on the 20th if I could but I am not banking on it.) Looking at Mapquest, I see that one can take either I-80 (the PA turnpike, I believe?) or go through NY on I-90. The difference in mileage is only about 50. I recall taking I-80 when driving to Chicago years ago, and there were speed traps everywhere. A few years ago, on of my nieces and family hit a deer driving to CT on that road and totalled their car. (Miraculously, no one was hurt.)</p>
<p>Is there anyone who makes that drive periodically who can offer advice?</p>
<p>I drive from CT to Ohio often enough. A lot depends on where you are in CT. I prefer to go across the NY thruway because I hate that snake pit of traffic you need to drive through to get to the PA highways. But then, I live in the NW corner of CT so, really it’s not that far to The Mass Pike and the NY Thruway.</p>
<p>Also, where are you going in Indiana? If its further south, that would make a difference too.</p>
<p>I’d be driving from Wilton to Chesterton (in the north of the state near the lake). It is relatively a breeze to go the Tappan Zee route from Wilton.</p>
<p>I’ve preferred to avoid PA if possible, and I like driving along the NY roads, thinking about Drums Along the Mohawk! :)</p>
<p>If you don’t mind the Tappan zee bridge then either way is probably fine. Actually the PA roads would be closer for you.</p>
<p>I avoid the Tappan zee like the plague.</p>
<p>From my house in NW CT to Cleveland, it is 9 1/2 hours taking the NY Thruway…with stops just for gas and restroom breaks. It’s another few hours to cross Ohio.</p>
<p>Just for clarification, I-80 is not the PA turnpike. The Turnpike is I-76, and runs across the southern part of PA. I-80 runs east-west across the northern part of the state, and is generally more rural, (if that is possible) since 80 runs far north of both Philly in the east and Pittsburgh in the west.</p>
<p>80 is probably the better road, since the turnpike was built in the depression and the 50’s I think, and 80 was constructed in the 60’s and 70s and is more modern. But you’re asking about I 90, which skirts the lake. Better weather experts might weigh-in here, but lake effect snow is real, and sometimes only exists within 30 miles of the lake. I vote for 80.</p>
<p>When you are driving 90, you are only on the lake from Buffalo west. The reality is the person driving to Northern Indiana is going to be driving 80/90 in northern Ohio from the Ohio border to Indiana. </p>
<p>Plus at this time of the year, there can be snow anywhere on these roads.</p>
<p>Agreed…avoid the PA turnpike. Either 80 across PA or 90 across NY would be my suggestions.</p>
<p>If I’m not mistaken, the PA turnpike is the oldest turnpike in the country.</p>
<p>I drive the turnpike from central OH to NYC several times a year. It’s not in terrible shape at all but I agree 80 is better. 90 can have wicked snow.</p>
<p>The PA turnpike makes no sense for CT-northern IN though.</p>
<p>I’m not as familiar with 80 as I am with 90, which I drive frequently. The risk of lake effect snow from Buffalo south/west along Lake Erie is very real and it is extremely unpredictable. It’s the unpredictability that, for me, would be the issue.</p>
<p>A plug for The rest stops along turnpike (80) in Ohio - very nice, newer and clean!!! My bro and his family make the drive from NYC to Southeast Michigan/Northwest Ohio twice a year and breathe a sigh of relief when they get through PA and can stop at the Ohio rest stops!!</p>
<p>Make the Weather Channel app your best friend! Having lived in western NY for decades and now making the trip from NE Ohio to Chicago regularly, snow is a very real disturbance in winter. I remember an audition trip from Rochester to Cleveland- normally a 3 1/2- 4 hour drive- took almost 8 hours on a horrible January day.
The stretched of the NY Thruway around Syracuse, Batavia, and especially between Buffalo and the PA border can be really nasty with blowing snow and zero visibility. Most of the Ohio Toll Road, Rt 80, runs along the lake and can be equally awful due to bands of snow- Lake Effect snow is a phenomenon that is unique to the Great Lakes and is created when the colder winds blow across the warmer lakes, pick up moisture and dump feet of snow in unpredictable patterns. Thus, even if the forecast is clear, you just don’t know what you’ll encounter, so allow plenty of extra time, pay attention to the electronic warning signs along your route and take frequent breaks to relax your arms and shoulders.
Truthfully, check out the specials for flights and see if you can snag a good price- Southwest has some great fares right now. Safe travels and have a wonderful holiday!</p>
<p>We made the drive out to (central) PA from northern CT many times while D was in school there…we never took the Tappan Zee…</p>
<p>84 West all the way to Scranton goes over the Newburgh bridge and is an easy drive. My favorite part is driving by the exit to 684 where the bulk of the traffic exits. Near Scranton, you can take either 380 or 81 south to 80 (or 209 if you want the scenic route). We found 380 the easiest, although a couple miles longer.</p>
<p>Can’t compare 80 vs 90 though…</p>
<p>ETA: Consolation, I missed the part where you said you’re leaving from Wilton. So 84 might be farther north than you want.</p>
<p>Driven it many times, in all seasons and driving conditions. Bottom line, there’s not a good way to go, but I-80 is probably your best bet. It’s a good road, very rural, even desolate through parts of Pennsylvania, but it takes a pretty direct route, and there are no tolls through PA. </p>
<p>I-90 (NY Thruway) is also a good road; it’s older but it’s been improved over the years, unlike the PA Turnpike (I-76) which is badly outdated with 1930s-level engineering… The downside to I-90 is that from where you’re starting it takes you quite a distance out of your way: you go north, then west, then southwest to rejoin I-80 somewhere around Cleveland. Longer distance, more tolls.</p>
<p>Negatives to I-80: it’s very hilly, with lots of truck traffic. This can be annoying to downright dangerous as the big rigs slow to a crawl on the uphill, then come barreling past you on the downhill. Especially scary in snowy/icy conditions which are not uncommon in winter as much of the route through PA is at fairly high elevations. I-90 can be snowy, too, especially around Syracuse/Rochester/Buffalo then again as you’re proceeding essentially along the Lake Erie shoreline toward Cleveland, which can get heavy lake effect snow. But at least I-90 is pretty flat.</p>
<p>Deer are more likely an issue on I-80 but shouldn’t be a problem if you get through the rural parts of PA in broad daylight. </p>
<p>So pick your poison. I’d go with I-80 as it’s fewer hours on the road. Just drive well rested and fully alert, and be prepared to get off the road if weather conditions demand it.</p>
<p>Seconding and thirding avoiding driving around Lake Erie on I-90. Lake Erie is a shallow lake and experiences Lake effect this time of year. It can be strange. For instance I can drive I-90 through Cleveland coming from the west, no snow, no snow drive through downtown and I will hit the snow bands on the east side and it will be blinding snow. This is just an example.<br>
Lake Erie does freeze and they will get less snow later in the winter. In a typical winter lol!</p>
<p>Um…this poster is driving to northern Indiana. I believe they will be taking the Ohio Turnpike…along Lake Erie most of the way, from at least the Cleveland area to Indiana. They cannot avoid the lake…unless they drive south to say…Nashville, then proceed north from there :)</p>
<p>The speed traps you’re remembering were probably on I-80 in Ohio. Ohio troopers are notorious for giving out tickets, so I wouldn’t drive more than 5 MPH over the limit.</p>
<p>The speed limit on I-80, Ohio Turnpike is 70 - so IMO there is never any reason if you are concerned about safety to be driving over 75 anyway to get ticketed!!!</p>
<p>I’ve done I-80 from Toledo to I-95 on my way to NYC a few times now and I’d recommend that over the lake effect snow issues on I-90. I’d still be nervous about doing some of those areas in PA (what I refer to as “the scary bridges”- kind of narrow, often under construction when I’ve been on them, over valleys, but I have a bridge phobia) if the roads were snow covered, but I think the risk is less there than on I-90. Perhaps check out weather reports before you decide for sure?</p>
<p>I was mistaken about the PA turnpike–I thought it was I-80. Silly me. I think the last time I drove out there along the PA route was circa 1982, so evidently the speed limits have been raised since then! :)</p>
<p>It also appears that I could take I-80 as far as Ohio, then switch to US-30W, swinging farther south of the lake for only an additional 50 minutes. THis is one of the suggested routes. If there is lake effect snow, I wonder if this would avoid it? </p>
<p>Now it appears I may be flying after all. This all depends on my mother, who last night said she would go if I drove, and now has reneged. :rolleyes: In order to make this trip, I am shutting down my business early before Christmas–my busiest season–and leaving behind my sick and probably dying dog. My sister just had emergency surgery and I am going to help her and provide moral support. As you can imagine, my mother’s back and forth is not what I need right now.</p>