The Ford Barn

Richard in Florida · 06-30-2011, 02:39 PM

Looks like the cleanest way would be to leave 81 SW of Scranton, get on 315 until it puts me onto I-476 (PA Turnpike?); then take 476 west of Scranton and join back up with 81.

Does that work? Is there a better plan? I don't want to go through Scranton.

TomT/Williamsburg · 06-30-2011, 03:13 PM

If memory serves me, 81 wasn't too bad going through Scranton but it has been a number of years since I've driven through there and I was in my daily driver.

jim1932 · 06-30-2011, 03:41 PM

I don't get off 81 when I go through Scranton, just not a big time savings. Also the PA turnpike is a toll road so you stop getting on and getting off.

I am driving my suggested route tomarrow afternoon so I can report back. The only place (other than accidents or construction) that I hit bad traffic on 81 is Harrisburg and there is not a good way around it that I have found.

Pete/Ct. · 06-30-2011, 03:49 PM

Scranton is not bad as long as you dont hit commuter traffic. Any time between 9 am and 3 pm or week end days should be OK.

Richard in Florida · 06-30-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in Florida

I don't want to go through Scranton.

Thanks to all for the help. I'm certainly learning a lot.

Bruce Lancaster · 06-30-2011, 04:16 PM

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A scenic wonder of the Scranton area...you go past a huge slag heap tha looks just like the Devil's Tower, the mountain in "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind"!! I used to love that area for spotting old cars, but I'm sure they have all been cleared out from behind the filling stations and the junkyards are now all dead datsuns...

PeteVS · 06-30-2011, 04:22 PM

If I head toward Binghamton or where ever, I like to take Route 11 north out of Scranton. It's the old Lackawanna Trail. It used to be the main line of the DL&W before they built the new line. Lots of old buildings, gas stations, junk yard along this route. It's just a little messy getting thru Clarks Summit. It goes right past Tunkhannock (sp?) Viaduct, a wonder of the early 20th century.

Reds · 06-30-2011, 05:00 PM

I live just north of Scranton. 81 and the turnpike parallel each other in the Scranton area. You can get off of 81 and onto the turnpike for the last 10 or 15 miles and then get back on 81 at the end of the turnpike. It would be a lot easier to just go thru Scranton on 81. Traffic can get a little thick during rush hour but it never stops or slows way down except for construction zones. As for Rt 315 I would stay off of it - you would be on 315 for about a half mile if you get off of 81 at the turnpike exit and take the turnpike and get back on 81. Rt. 11 is the route that I take when there is construction on 81. You can get on the PennDot website and find out where the construction zones are. Maybe on the turnpike website too. Have a safe trip. Are you driving north on the holiday weekend? One other thing - Pa. roads are in horrible shape and PennDot is not capable of fixing them (too busy eating donuts and leaning on shovels). Watch for potholes.

Mike51Merc · 06-30-2011, 05:49 PM

My wife works in Scranton. 81 is generally not a problem.

PeteVS · 06-30-2011, 07:22 PM

Regarding PennDOT- I once heard that the Pennsylvania official joke has been printed up onto big signs which they post around the state. They say "MEN WORKING."

Richard in Florida · 06-30-2011, 07:53 PM

I'm always amazed at how much great information come shooting back at you on this forum, and how quickly it arrives. Thank you all.

This trip is in the murky future. Several key events must fall perfectly into alignment before I can cut any metal on it. I'm just planning ahead.

Thanks some more.

SUHRsc · 07-01-2011, 05:01 AM

81 in Harrisburg is typically only really bad at rush hour, and not near as bad at 83.... I drive home from work in Harrisburg, to Grantville, on 81 North around 2:30pm each day and its pretty clear sailin'.

Also, I come in at 5:45am and there is no one on the road!

Have a safe trip
Zach

jim1932 · 07-01-2011, 09:36 AM

Richard,

I grew up in the NY, MA, VT border so if you need info for the top part of the trip let me know. I drive it alot.

Bruce Lancaster · 07-01-2011, 09:59 AM

I heard Pennsylvania DOT is laying off half its staff next year...seems someone has invented a shovel that will stand up by itself!

SUHRsc · 07-01-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

I heard Pennsylvania DOT is laying off half its staff next year...seems someone has invented a shovel that will stand up by itself!

I beleive they even eliminated the shovel...
The past 2 days I've gone through a "men working" - "flagger ahead" - "one lane road ahead" set of signs.... and ..... nothing... no traffic obstruction and no signs of any work at all being done?

Nice signs though!

Cecil/WV · 07-01-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUHRsc

I beleive they even eliminated the shovel...
The past 2 days I've gone through a "men working" - "flagger ahead" - "one lane road ahead" set of signs.... and ..... nothing... no traffic obstruction and no signs of any work at all being done?

Nice signs though!

These things take time, they have the signs up, don't they?? give them some more time.

Richard in Florida · 07-01-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1932

I grew up in the NY, MA, VT border so if you need info for the top part of the trip let me know. I drive it alot.

Thanks. Count on it.

37ford4dr · 07-01-2011, 02:05 PM

the real problem with 81 N is that north of harrisburg there are no good routes that parallel it....if you go off into the local roads they are slow, narrow twisty, you lose cell coverage and you may never get out of them.....beautiful mountains but not for the person who doesnt know the area.....now you have other options to get to 84 north though.....you can take the pa tnpk to Allentown take 33 north to stroudsburg and then rte 209 from stroudsburg along the delaware and it will intersect with 84 at milford PA. i have driven all those roads and they are ok. rte 209 is beautiful along the delaware and is truck restricted, i actually dont mind the Pa tnpk.

Richard in Florida · 07-01-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37ford4dr

you have other options to get to 84 north though.....

Thanks, but I'm not getting on 84.

jim1932 · 07-01-2011, 04:43 PM

your trip of course, but 84 to the taconic parkway (which is a great scenic run north of 84, horrible south of 84) to 90 to 787 to 7 will save a lot of time. 22 to 7 is a nice route as well. just food for thought. Then again your road will take you by Dick Spadaro's and you can do some shopping....LOL

06-30-2011, 02:39 PM	#1
Richard in Florida Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 696	Going Around Scranton, North on 81 Looks like the cleanest way would be to leave 81 SW of Scranton, get on 315 until it puts me onto I-476 (PA Turnpike?); then take 476 west of Scranton and join back up with 81. Does that work? Is there a better plan? I don't want to go through Scranton. Last edited by Richard in Florida; 06-30-2011 at 02:40 PM. Reason: typo

06-30-2011, 03:13 PM	#2
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,714	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 If memory serves me, 81 wasn't too bad going through Scranton but it has been a number of years since I've driven through there and I was in my daily driver.

06-30-2011, 03:41 PM	#3
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,810	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 I don't get off 81 when I go through Scranton, just not a big time savings. Also the PA turnpike is a toll road so you stop getting on and getting off. I am driving my suggested route tomarrow afternoon so I can report back. The only place (other than accidents or construction) that I hit bad traffic on 81 is Harrisburg and there is not a good way around it that I have found. Last edited by jim1932; 06-30-2011 at 03:41 PM. Reason: typo

06-30-2011, 03:49 PM	#4
Pete/Ct. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kensington,CT Posts: 344	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 Scranton is not bad as long as you dont hit commuter traffic. Any time between 9 am and 3 pm or week end days should be OK.

06-30-2011, 04:16 PM	#6
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A scenic wonder of the Scranton area...you go past a huge slag heap tha looks just like the Devil's Tower, the mountain in "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind"!! I used to love that area for spotting old cars, but I'm sure they have all been cleared out from behind the filling stations and the junkyards are now all dead datsuns...

06-30-2011, 04:22 PM	#7
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,811	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 If I head toward Binghamton or where ever, I like to take Route 11 north out of Scranton. It's the old Lackawanna Trail. It used to be the main line of the DL&W before they built the new line. Lots of old buildings, gas stations, junk yard along this route. It's just a little messy getting thru Clarks Summit. It goes right past Tunkhannock (sp?) Viaduct, a wonder of the early 20th century. __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

06-30-2011, 05:00 PM	#8
Reds Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 19	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 I live just north of Scranton. 81 and the turnpike parallel each other in the Scranton area. You can get off of 81 and onto the turnpike for the last 10 or 15 miles and then get back on 81 at the end of the turnpike. It would be a lot easier to just go thru Scranton on 81. Traffic can get a little thick during rush hour but it never stops or slows way down except for construction zones. As for Rt 315 I would stay off of it - you would be on 315 for about a half mile if you get off of 81 at the turnpike exit and take the turnpike and get back on 81. Rt. 11 is the route that I take when there is construction on 81. You can get on the PennDot website and find out where the construction zones are. Maybe on the turnpike website too. Have a safe trip. Are you driving north on the holiday weekend? One other thing - Pa. roads are in horrible shape and PennDot is not capable of fixing them (too busy eating donuts and leaning on shovels). Watch for potholes.

06-30-2011, 05:49 PM	#9
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 My wife works in Scranton. 81 is generally not a problem.

06-30-2011, 07:22 PM	#10
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,811	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 Regarding PennDOT- I once heard that the Pennsylvania official joke has been printed up onto big signs which they post around the state. They say "MEN WORKING." __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

06-30-2011, 07:53 PM	#11
Richard in Florida Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 696	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 I'm always amazed at how much great information come shooting back at you on this forum, and how quickly it arrives. Thank you all. This trip is in the murky future. Several key events must fall perfectly into alignment before I can cut any metal on it. I'm just planning ahead. Thanks some more.

07-01-2011, 05:01 AM	#12
SUHRsc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 915	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 81 in Harrisburg is typically only really bad at rush hour, and not near as bad at 83.... I drive home from work in Harrisburg, to Grantville, on 81 North around 2:30pm each day and its pretty clear sailin'. Also, I come in at 5:45am and there is no one on the road! Have a safe trip Zach __________________ -WANTED- CYLINDER HEADS 77-6050B, 81AS - 81SB - 99AS - 99SB - 19AS

07-01-2011, 09:36 AM	#13
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,810	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 Richard, I grew up in the NY, MA, VT border so if you need info for the top part of the trip let me know. I drive it alot.

07-01-2011, 09:59 AM	#14
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 I heard Pennsylvania DOT is laying off half its staff next year...seems someone has invented a shovel that will stand up by itself!

07-01-2011, 02:05 PM	#18
37ford4dr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: arlington va Posts: 185	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 the real problem with 81 N is that north of harrisburg there are no good routes that parallel it....if you go off into the local roads they are slow, narrow twisty, you lose cell coverage and you may never get out of them.....beautiful mountains but not for the person who doesnt know the area.....now you have other options to get to 84 north though.....you can take the pa tnpk to Allentown take 33 north to stroudsburg and then rte 209 from stroudsburg along the delaware and it will intersect with 84 at milford PA. i have driven all those roads and they are ok. rte 209 is beautiful along the delaware and is truck restricted, i actually dont mind the Pa tnpk.

07-01-2011, 04:43 PM	#20
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,810	Re: Going Around Scranton, North on 81 your trip of course, but 84 to the taconic parkway (which is a great scenic run north of 84, horrible south of 84) to 90 to 787 to 7 will save a lot of time. 22 to 7 is a nice route as well. just food for thought. Then again your road will take you by Dick Spadaro's and you can do some shopping....LOL