What to do in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia International Airport to Harrisburg by car - what route?

• Hi, if I were to travel from Philadelphia International Airport to Harrisburg (PA), should I take the I-476 to Conshohocken and then change on to I-76? Or should I start out by driving west and turn north later (for example I-95 and U-322) in order to join the I-76 further west? I am asking that question, because I was told that there might be an awful lot of traffic around Philadelphia, and I was wondering if heading west first might help me to escape the Philadelphia conurbation faster.

• Answer:

  Both routes work. You will get a lot of traffic on 95, 476, and 76, and both the 95/476 and 76/476 interchanges are notorious for hideous traffic during rush hours. However, once you're on the turnpike, its very smooth sailing out to Harrisburg, and even 476 and 76 (pre-turnpike) aren't too bad when traffic is light. Taking 322 winds you through a lot of small towns, and their own traffic jams, which can be considerable. It's great if you're trying to get to one of these towns or even Lancaster, but for going to Harrisburg, its really the scenic route, and probably no faster than 476/76. A third alternative, is to take 322 west to 202 north, to 100 north, and that to the Turnpike. More of that route is expressway, so it is geographically and traffic wise something of a middle ground between those other routes. Realistically, if you get stuck in afternoon rush hour, it won't much matter which of these routes you take, you'll be sitting in traffic. But any of the three will get you there, and probably without that much difference in time.