Traffic coming from Maryland into Philadelphia on a weekday? (Penn: authority, garages)

[February]

Hi,

I'm traveling from Maryland to Philadelphia for an interview on a Monday this month. I checked yahoo maps, and wanted to know if there was some site or some way to find out what the traffic would be like on a weekday. I know I-95 North is always busy, and my concern is that a traffic jam or accident
will become a problem.

Some questions are:

1.What is the traffic from Maryland to Philadelphia? Rate (1-5, 5 being horrible)
2.Are their any toll bridges I have to pay for?
3.Is there a route to avoid the highway into the city?
4. How difficult is it to drive in Philadelphia? Are there lots of one-way streets and lots of traffic?


Any tips would be helpful! Thanks!!

[FindingZen]

1. Assuming that you're traveling during rush hour, it will probably start as a 3 once you cross into Delaware (due to Wilmington/Newark traffic) and become a 4/5 as you approach Philly. Knock off a point if you're traveling off-hours.

2. You'll have to pay to cross into DE from MD. None between DE and PA.

3. I'm not aware of any that would be convenient or not cancelled out by extra gas.

4. Philly, not unlike Baltimore, is an older large city whose core was originally built for horsepower. If you're interviewing downtown, there will indeed be lots of traffic as well as many one-way streets. On-street parking will be limited and expensive; parking garages are more plentiful but still expensive.

An alternative solution - assuming you are indeed interviewing in Center City (downtown) - would be to drive to one of the SEPTA train stations in Delaware. SEPTA | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority The R2 train stations in Claymont and Wilmington might be the easiest to catch a ride from.

Good luck!

[newmarlig]

Another idea would be taking Amtrak from Baltimore.