I-78 to I-287 through PA

I just took that route Thursday.. Took 287-87-84 into CT...all was fine..

BUT- - - Once I hit the Waterbury CT area , there is a lot of construction ,and traffic.

I drive I-78 from here to the NJ Turnpike/I-95 on a regular basis. Most of it is in good shape; stretches that need repair are generally east of the I-287 interchange. There is construction at the interchange with PA Rt. 737 at Krumsville and again at the next exit east at Rt. 863/New Smithville. Lanes shift but there are still two lanes in each direction. That said.........

In general traffic accidents as you head east from about the Rt. 100 interchange (Fogelsville PA) are on the rise. This has been especially true with increased traffic since Memorial Day. The posted speed limit is 65 BUT the limit is 55 from the Rt. 863 interchange east until Exit 60 where Rt. 309 splits off to the south. This reduced speed limit is almost universally ignored in spite of the "Targeted Enforcement Area" designation. Stay alert and watch for heavy truck traffic - LOTS of truck traffic. The fact that I-78 in most of PA is only 2 lanes in each direction doesn't help.

Once you cross in to NJ traffic tends to bog down at the interchanges, especially in the mornings, starting as far west as Exit 18/Annandale. This is all commuter traffic heading to NYC and Newark. This will be especially true as you approach the I-287 interchange, even with 3 lanes in each direction. Congestion eases up later in the day, say, after 11 a.m. Good luck and stay safe!

We drove I78 last month. Still rough in places especially the older parts that used to be US22. Not rough enough that I would change my route to avoid it.

Ed C wrote:
If you stay on I/81 to I/84 to I/87 at Newburgh, NY you will have a lot less congestion to deal with.

We generally take that route, too, but yesterday it was an awful experience. Tragic accident on 84 close to Newburgh with one fatality and several vehicles destroyed around Noon. We were behind it - thankfully - when traffic flow suddenly stopped and we saw literally dozens of rescue vehicles racing by on the shoulder. Several medical helicopters arrived. Apparently, a large commercial truck plowed at almost full speed into a van and several passenger cars that had slowed or stopped due to construction.

After about an hour, a state trooper walked from the wreck and told us all to either reverse our direction one by one, or to back down, to exit the closed Interstate in the wrong direction. We were directed off, took a long time to eventually get back on 84 past the wreck.

I read online that a similar serious accident happened two days before in almost the same location. Be careful out there.

There also was major construction around Scranton and Wilkes Barre, one narrow lane open at times. Very long day. By contrast it was smooth sailing all day from the Harrisburg area down 81 in the Shenandoah Valley.

If you stay on I/81 to I/84 to I/87 at Newburgh, NY you will have a lot less congestion to deal with.

We usually travel from home via I-40 E, I-81 N, I-78 E to I-287 N and I-87 N. I was asking about the I-78 and I-287 sections.

David

Moved to Roads & Routes forum from DIY.

jdavidsmi wrote:
Has anyone driven I-78 to I-287 and I-87 recently? Last year the road was so rough in places it broke two welds on my tow dolly. of course it was on a Sunday so the DW ended up having to drive the car. Returned on I-88 to I-81, not as bad.

leaving in a couple of weeks from Tennessee heading to Vermont, Maine, and Boston to visit the kids. Looking for the best route, The cost for the extra gas for the 81 to 88 is about equal to the shorter distance on 78 and 287 with tolls on 87.

Straight trip up but on the way home in late August planning on driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, always love that drive.

I'm guessing you're talking about I-84 from New England to I-81 in Pennsylvania?

That's the route we use when going to Bangor, ME.
It is a little longer but, less traffic.

Or do you mean I-80, not I-88?

Just realized which forum i was in when I posted this.

Please move to correct forum.