Northeast Pennsylvania Folks

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Just checking in to see how post-storm and gas conditions are.

A friend is driving down to D.C. from MA and is looking to avoid New York and New Jersey. He is planning on taking 84 into Scranton and then cutting through Wilkes-Barre on his way to 476 and Philly.

Is power on along that route?

Is gas available?

TIA for any info you can provide!!!!

[constanz22]

There are NO gas issues in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Nov 6, 2012 11:14:24 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

There are NO gas issues in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.

Thanks, Constanz!!!

You were one of the posters I was hoping would reply. Good to hear!!

[constanz22]

He shouldn't have to go through/near Wilkes-Barre though really. If he takes 84 toward Scranton, he can pick up 476 (the PA turnpike) at Pittston. Not sure of the route he is taking from MA, but might even be better to hit 81 somewhere in upstate NY, take 81 all the way down to PA and jump on the Northeast Extension of the turnpike where it starts in Clarks Summit (north of Scranton). There are no gas issues in upstate NY (Binghamton, Syracuse, etc.) HTH

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Nov 6, 2012 15:10:43 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

He shouldn't have to go through/near Wilkes-Barre though really. If he takes 84 toward Scranton, he can pick up 476 (the PA turnpike) at Pittston. Not sure of the route he is taking from MA, but might even be better to hit 81 somewhere in upstate NY, take 81 all the way down to PA and jump on the Northeast Extension of the turnpike where it starts in Clarks Summit (north of Scranton). There are no gas issues in upstate NY (Binghamton, Syracuse, etc.) HTH

WE've been debating where he should pick up 81. He wants to take 84 across CT, but I have heard that SW Ct has some pretty severe power issues and an invasion of New Jersey folks buying up the gas in that area.

I thought he should take the Mass Pike straight west into NY state and catch 81 there.

Either way, it is going to be a really long drive, although, truth be told, some days the traffic on the GW bridge is so bad that even without hurricane issues, a long drive around NY/NJ is shorter.

Thanks for the advice. I'll discuss it all with him further. I'm leaning toward persuading him to take the train. I know there are some service/track issues through CT, NY, and NJ, but at least one can chill and read or sleep through the delays.

[Cookies Galore]

Nov 6, 2012 15:10:43 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

He shouldn't have to go through/near Wilkes-Barre though really. If he takes 84 toward Scranton, he can pick up 476 (the PA turnpike) at Pittston. Not sure of the route he is taking from MA, but might even be better to hit 81 somewhere in upstate NY, take 81 all the way down to PA and jump on the Northeast Extension of the turnpike where it starts in Clarks Summit (north of Scranton). There are no gas issues in upstate NY (Binghamton, Syracuse, etc.) HTH

I live right outside Philly and we took the NE Extension (476 turnpike) to 81 when we went to Cooperstown in May. Very easy drive. 476 meets up with 95 in Delaware County, so it will be a relatively easy drive, just long and boring! There are no gas issues in SE PA as well.