How To Drive In New Jersey.

[What Exit?]

I had fun with a similar thread last year, so with no further ado, the first 12 rules. Please add your own.

1. First, you must learn how to pronounce Newark....It is New-erk, not New-ark.
(Actually, it's pronounced 'NORK'.)

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on the turnpike is 85 mph. On the Garden State Parkway it's 105 or 110. Anything less is considered 'Wussy.'

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Jersey has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Monmouth County , SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. EVER. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of Jersey . Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit "more exciting".

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats, barrels, cones, celebs, rubber-neckers, shredded tires, cell-phoners, deer and other road kill, and the homeless feeding on any of these items.

9. Mapquest does not work here -- none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do. And all the Turnpike EZ pass lanes are moved each night once again to make your ride more exciting.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.'

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be 'flipped off' accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. Do not try to estimate travel time -- just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday, and right after church on Sunday for anything on Monday morning.

Follow these simple tips and you should make it through the day alive in New Jersey...

Jim

[Jurph]

13A. All so-called "left" turns will be made via jughandles. If you wish to turn left, move into the right lane where you will be merged with crossing traffic. New Jersey has removed the left turns for your convenience and safety. The "No Left Turns" sign you see every now and again is in effect for all intersections, all of the time.

13B. Rule 13A will be superseded only where a modern intersection with a green left-turn arrow has been installed. New Jersey has replaced the jughandles with left turn lanes for your convenience and safety. These new modern intersections are installed anywhere that out-of-state drivers remember to move into the right lane in accordance with rule 13A.

[phungi]

13. Traffic circles were designed around the "merge or die" principle. When entering a traffic circle, do not slow down. When driving around a traffic circle, do not slow down. When leaving a traffic circle, do not slow down.

[FateHappens]

How to drive in Jersey: On the left. It's a British island. ;)

[What Exit?]

How to drive in Jersey: On the left. It's a British island. ;)
Sorry, this thread is about New Jersey or maybe Joisey. Not that quaint little Island near Britain.

14. Remember, you have to pay to leave New Jersey.

[Carson O'Genic]

The best things about New Jersey are the roads leaving it.
(Former GSP driver during the 24/7 rush hour )

[ChiefScott]

14. At no time while driving in New Jersey will you know where actually you are, except between exits. If you ask, you will receive a random answer generated from: a) actual town, which is not on any map; b) township; c) school district; or d) county.
To make your location needs even more exciting, we've named multiple things the same name. To whit, if you "find" yourself in Ocean, it could be Ocean, the town, the township, the county, one of two school districts, OR the actual ocean.

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Always pull over for gas in Jersey, regardless of need. They pump it.

[What Exit?]

Rule #15 or 19, as you approach Elizabeth, NJ always ensure you either have nose plugs or the Air conditioning on with recirc. Once you drive through Elizabeth once, you will know why this is a highly recommend rule of How to Drive in New Jersey.

[An Arky]

Always pull over for gas in Jersey, regardless of need. They pump it.

Not only that, it's actually pretty cheap. Thanks for the cheap gas, taxpayers of New Jersey!

[Ludovic]

To make your location needs even more exciting, we've named multiple things the same name. To whit, if you "find" yourself in Ocean, it could be Ocean, the town, the township, the county, one of two school districts, OR the actual ocean.To make sure you know you are in New Jersey, the two biggest highways have been named New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. Any chance that non-natives will confuse the two is entirely made up for by the fact that you won't forget you're in New Jersey. They had to do this because you can pump your own gas on the interstate service areas, so that method of reminding is out.

[Shecky]

That exit saying Jersey Shore? It's not really. You want Shore Points instead.

Please remember that residential roads are to be driven at a minimum of 45 mph, preferably 70.

Try to avoid the North Carolina and Pennsylvania tagged cars/work vans. Accidents with them will result in YOU paying for your damage.

If you see an intersection, accelerate until you're through it, unless when making a turn, which is when you're supposed to ease up on it.

[TroubleAgain]

14. Remember, you have to pay to leave New Jersey.

and it's worth it. ;)

[Great Dave]

Sorry, this thread is about New Jersey or maybe Joisey. Not that quaint little Island near Britain.

14. Remember, you have to pay to leave New Jersey.

Worth it at any price.

[danceswithcats]

Interstate 95 enters a Bermuda Triangle like space in New Jersey. You cross the Scudders Falls bridge, continue north on 95, and it becomes 295 and heads east, turns south, eventually dragging your confused ass all the way to Wilmington, DE via the Delaware Memorial bridge. You can also get onto 195 from 295 and head east through the middle of nuttin' until reaching the GSP, or the ocean.

If you really, really want to go north on 95, you can use route 1, or route 130, or if you went east on 195, you can go north on the Jersey Turnpike, or route 9, or even the GSP, because they all kinda come together around 287, and now that your map looks like an origami kitten, there's 95 again, ready to take you on a scenic tour of the Bronx.

If you missed all of that and end up near the Tappan Zee bridge, turn right, cross the Hudson, and continue until you reach Rye. Have a drink of rye, and you'll be back on 95, having missed the Bronx.

Do not try to repeat the above in reverse when going south. It will not work.

[Annie-Xmas]

Continouse roads and very rare in New Jersey. People will say "take Central to Cambridge" without mentioning that Central stops at one point and continues two roads later. You drive a lotta loops in New Jersey.

Most continous roads are very very long and change names in the middle. "Take Grand to Engle" means to continue on Grand through PalAve until it becomes Engle.

[Jackknifed Juggernaut]

When stopping at a traffic light or any intersection, be sure to leave some distance between you and the car in front of you. You don't want to be boxed in during an attempted carjacking. Most NJ residents already do this instinctively. Whenever driving with someone from out of state, it always surprises me when they stop directly behind the car in front, with little maneuverability to escape.

[The Hamster King]

Rule #15 or 19, as you approach Elizabeth, NJ always ensure you either have nose plugs or the Air conditioning on with recirc. Once you drive through Elizabeth once, you will know why this is a highly recommend rule of How to Drive in New Jersey.And when you reach the sign that says "Entering Elizabeth" you must make the appropriate off-color remark.

[What Exit?]

And when you reach the sign that says "Entering Elizabeth" you must make the appropriate off-color remark.
On Saturday, with the kids in the car, it came down to fart jokes of course.

We also specialize in highways that make strange U-shape loops. 287 and rt 36 come to mind immediately.

When coming down from NYC via the George Washington Bridge & Rt95, in can be a challenge to get on the NJ Turnpike and thus continue on I-95. Many a hapless traveler have found themselves on Rt 80 or even heading back toward NYC.

Jim

[Mama Tiger]

Just because a map shows two major freeways in New Jersey intersecting doesn't mean they actually do. Be prepared to turn off of one, wander around through small towns for a while, and eventually see one tiny, well-hidden sign indicating your entrance to the other -- 20 feet behind you. Which cannot be entered from the other direction.

And if by chance you do finally figure out how to move from one freeway to the other without getting lost? Be prepared for road construction to start on the first one to dump you out in an unexpected location, causing you to begin the learning process all over again.

Also, there is one exception to the one tiny, well-hidden sign rule: Occasionally there will be simultaneous signs pointing to both left and right exits to get to the same place. This is designed to cause you to drive down the middle of the freeway cursing at top volume trying to figure out which one gets you to where you want to go. Actually, they both do, but by the time you realize this, it will off course be too late.

[An Arky]

Interstate 95 enters a Bermuda Triangle like space in New Jersey. You cross the Scudders Falls bridge, continue north on 95, and it becomes 295 and heads east, turns south, eventually dragging your confused ass all the way to Wilmington, DE via the Delaware Memorial bridge. You can also get onto 195 from 295 and head east through the middle of nuttin' until reaching the GSP, or the ocean.

If you really, really want to go north on 95, you can use route 1, or route 130, or if you went east on 195, you can go north on the Jersey Turnpike, or route 9, or even the GSP, because they all kinda come together around 287, and now that your map looks like an origami kitten, there's 95 again, ready to take you on a scenic tour of the Bronx.

If you missed all of that and end up near the Tappan Zee bridge, turn right, cross the Hudson, and continue until you reach Rye. Have a drink of rye, and you'll be back on 95, having missed the Bronx.

Do not try to repeat the above in reverse when going south. It will not work.


While Jersey was greedy enough to put in a Turnpike, it must be pointed out that the limbo that I-95 goes into is pretty much both NJ's & Philly's fault (and, to all you Philadelphians, I said "Philly" just to tick you off; bite me) for not being arsed/having the werewithal to complete their section of it in a timely fashion. Hell it still isn't "complete", what, like 50 years later? Still can't get it done. Those people are dumber than Rocky and more crooked than a dog's hind leg, the lot of them. Why else would drivers still have to be paying tolls on a road (the NJ turnpike) that was completed 55 freaking years ago! They'd charge tolls for breathing if they were smart enough to come up with a way to monitor it.

Plus I can't stop laughing at folks who think the south is behind the times when every time I go to Philly/NJ, all I hear on the radio is 70s calssic rock, like there's some sort of music time warp going on there. Jesus, you walking anachronisms, get with it! Oh, and lose the pompadours while you're at it.

[D_Odds]

Sorry, this thread is about New Jersey or maybe Joisey. Not that quaint little Island near Britain.

14. Remember, you have to pay to leave New Jersey.I have to give credit to whomever thought this up. They know everyone wants to leave NJ, so let's charge them for the privilege of escaping. Brilliant!

[The Hamster King]

I have to give credit to whomever thought this up. They know everyone wants to leave NJ, so let's charge them for the privilege of escaping. Brilliant!My wife, who grew up in New Jersey, fondly recalls when the state legislature decided that the state needed an "official teen anthem". What did they pick?

Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run", a song about fleeing New Jersey!

[What Exit?]

My wife, who grew up in New Jersey, fondly recalls when the state legislature decided that the state needed an "official teen anthem". What did they pick?

Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run", a song about fleeing New Jersey!
Just to break one urban legend. While Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" was the unofficial or generally acknowledged "teen anthem", New Jersey does not have an "official teen anthem" or State Song. Additionally, all these years later Bruce keeps coming back to live here. In the end, NJ offers a lot to more than counter all the bad stuff.

[SCSimmons]

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been 'accidentally activated.'

I saw someone intentionally using a turn signal in New Jersey once. He was in the right-lane of a twelve-lane expressway, and had realized too late that his desired exit was actually a left exit. So he stopped in the traffic lane on the busy freeway, and turned on his left blinker, evidently to signal either that he intended to cross five lanes more or less perpendicular to the flow of traffic, or that he was a confounded moron. Or both. :rolleyes:

The only other time I drove in Jersey, I nearly got into a head-on rear-end collision as I exited a highway with someone who had missed a sub-exit ramp on the exit ramp, and naturally shifted into reverse & headed back down the ramp to go back and catch it. I swear, if my company sends me on another business trip to NJ, I'm going to either quit or shoot myself. At least here in Texas, people just drive seven hundred miles an hour ...

[D_Odds]

In the end, NJ offers a lot to more than counter all the bad stuff. :dubious:

Pull the other one...






:cool:

My greatest fear is that one day Ms. D_Odds will force me to move to NJ to be nearer her brother and the rest of her family. I wonder if that is considered acceptable grounds for divorce in NY?

[Annie-Xmas]

And heads up for the occasional airplane (http://www.hasbrouck-heights.com/news05/teb1_05.shtml) on the road

[What Exit?]

:dubious:

Pull the other one...

:cool:

My greatest fear is that one day Ms. D_Odds will force me to move to NJ to be nearer her brother and the rest of her family. I wonder if that is considered acceptable grounds for divorce in NY?
If I recall correctly, it is grounds. ;)

Hey, we have great beaches, skiing, major amusement parks, unlimited shopping, much cheaper gas than NY, Horse Racing, two major football teams, a World Class international airport and a dozen others of course, convenience to The City and Philly and even Baltimore/DC. We rank near the top for education and income. In North Jersey, our Italian food nearly rivals New York itself. Our Indian food might be the best in the nation in Edison. We have AC, Cape May and the Pine Barrens, I can make it to Yankee Stadium in 60 to 70 minutes on a good day and yet deer roam my yard, we even have some pretty damn good Dopefests. Though I am still waiting for someone else to put one together. I'll do another in May or June.

Jim

[Philster]

If you don't 'get' New Jersey, stay the hell out.

[Millit the Frail]

If your windshield wipers break during an ice storm and you're stranded by the side of the road, you will not be able to find a hotel without calling someone back home who has Google Earth. (Hello? I'm somewhere in NJ....on something called Possum Butt Road.....otherwise, I have no idea where the hell I am....) And then driving 25 miles through an ice storm without the use of said wipers. Because NJ does NOT appear to have those nice signs that tell you what you might find off any given exit. :(

[Tripler]

13. Traffic circles were designed around the "merge or die" principle. When entering a traffic circle, do not slow down. When driving around a traffic circle, do not slow down. When leaving a traffic circle, do not slow down.

This is true in New Jersey and the Middle East. I can surmise that I've survived three deployments because I was born, raised, and learned to drive in New Jersey (still have my license, too).

18. If "lost" in New Jersey, use this handy factoid: "Roads", "Streets", "Avenues" and "Boulevards" are north of Trenton. "Pikes" are the only authorized nomenclature south of Trenton.

Tripler
I know this from keen observation.

[Rysto]

Recommended optional feature for your vehicle if you'll be driving on the Parkway (http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=980621).

[Zsofia]

Hey, we have great beaches, skiing, major amusement parks, unlimited shopping, much cheaper gas than NY, Horse Racing, two major football teams, a World Class international airport
Jim

A word, sir, about that "world class airport". You know, the one without any SIGNS. Well, that's not true. There are signs. I have twenty minutes to make it through customs, security again, and find A-29 or something. I'm running like fucking OJ with his Samsonite. I spent twenty minutes in the security line, but I'm holding out hope. I look around and THERE IS NO A. I see a sign to A... take the train?! I finally find somebody to ask and she says "That's down there." She points to all the C gates.

It was. It didn't say A, of course, but that was it - I know 'cause it changed from "Columbia, S.C." to "Berlin" as I ran up to it.

And those people who work at your world class airport there? Assholes, every one, except for the lady at Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs. It was the first kind word I'd heard in two hours and I burst into tears at her.

[Ichbin Dubist]

We also specialize in highways that make strange U-shape loops. 287 and rt 36 come to mind immediately.

I seem to recall a long section of highway around Trenton where you can travel on 195 North and 295 South at the same time. The road goes east-west. I don't know how you could possibly figure out if you were going the right way if the sun was high in the sky.

When coming down from NYC via the George Washington Bridge & Rt95, in can be a challenge to get on the NJ Turnpike and thus continue on I-95. Many a hapless traveler have found themselves on Rt 80 or even heading back toward NYC.

I forget if it's on 95 or 80, but the actual sign saying "Welcome to New Jersey" is something like 4 miles after the bridge -- as if to say, "Congrats, you ran the gauntlet and you've actually made it."

Rule number 88.2: Stay off the Pulaski Skyway, whatever you do, unless you enjoy pretending you're in some postapocalyptic movie. It's am absurdly narrow 4-lane elevated road built in the 1500s with Bronze Age technology that has no shoulders and exits via holes in the middle between the lanes.

[CalMeacham]

---1. First, you must learn how to pronounce Newark....It is New-erk, not New-ark.
(Actually, it's pronounced 'NORK'.)


None of these are correct. As I pointed out in another thread, it's pronounced "Noork"



--- What Exit?, as a Jerseyman (Ambrose Bierce's formulation), surely you've never actually heard anyone who was from New Jersey say "Joisey".




--- Say what you will about New Jersey, it's still better than Massachusetts. I gre up in Jersey but now live in Massachusetts, and their disregard for the laws of traffic, commen sense, and even physics puts New Jersey in the dust. At least in New Jersey, they label both streets at intersections.

[Shecky]

Almost forgot: tolls are optional with just a honk and a smile, or if you know where you're going off the rest stop.

The way to get somewhere north of 195: quantify in the number of diners (go up 3 diners, make a left)
The way to get somewhere south of 195: Use Wawas. (FIVE Wawas and 2 streets, turn left at Oldnameoftown-Nenameoftown Pike)

[What Exit?]

Rule number 88.2: Stay off the Pulaski Skyway, whatever you do, unless you enjoy pretending you're in some postapocalyptic movie. It's am absurdly narrow 4-lane elevated road built in the 1500s with Bronze Age technology that has no shoulders and exits via holes in the middle between the lanes.
My Og, you didn’t actually try driving on the Pulaski Skyway? I thought everyone knew that was one of the portals to hell. Well, that and the lesser know “Road to Hell” in the Pine Barrens.

Actually, I drove the Pulaski Skyway once, just once, it was “interesting” to discover a road worse than the Cross Bronx Expressway* and the Major Deegan.
--- What Exit?, as a Jerseyman (Ambrose Bierce's formulation), surely you've never actually heard anyone who was from New Jersey say "Joisey".
Sure we do, as a joke and as a way to tease those that have yet to lose their North Jersey accents. One of the Ladies I work with has lived in Ocean County for 20+ years and still drops the various North Jersey gems of dialect.

I went to boot camp with at least three guys that really had Joisey accents from the Joisey City area.

But then hey, when someone from the Midwest asked me "what exit do you lived by?"

I had no clue it was a joke and I answered, "Between 105 & 109 on the Garden State Parkway, do you know the area?"

Several jaws dropped. Some myths and urban legends do have some truth to them. It is also the reason why I immediately liked the suggestion for my username when Crotalus suggested it.

Jim


* Expressway, HAH! More like suicide run.

[D_Odds]

Hey, we have great beaches Check
skiingcheck
major amusement parkshistorical amusement park (and some major ones upstate)unlimited shoppingwho doesn't, except maybe Nassau Countymuch cheaper gas than NYyou got me thereHorse Racingchecktwo major football teamswhich claims to be from New York (and whats the second major football team?)a World Class international airport :dubious: and a dozen others of courseCheckconvenience to The City and Philly and even Baltimore/DCeven more convenient to "The City" and who needs the other ones :cool: We rank near the top for education and income.Don't know the rankings here. In North Jersey, our Italian food nearly rivals New York itself.Our Italian food rivals Italy Our Indian food might be the best in the nation in Edison.I'll have to take your word, but our melting pot is much broader and you can find cuisine from just about every region in the world.We have AC, Cape May and the Pine BarrensStatue of Liberty, Montauk Point, Fire Island, TribecaI can make it to Yankee Stadium in 60 to 70 minutes on a good dayI can make it in that time on a bad day, leaving late and hitting traffic (or I can use public transportation - $2.00 each way door-to-door)and yet deer roam my yardWe have raccoons :mad: we even have some pretty damn good DopefestsI'll concede that point.

ETA: The Pulaski Skyway is worse than the Cross Bronx? Wow! I've only got detoured onto it once and hated it, but I've seen the worst the CBE has to offer, and it is BAD! My imagination isn't vivid enough to envision a worse road.

[Great Dave]

While Jersey was greedy enough to put in a Turnpike, it must be pointed out that the limbo that I-95 goes into is pretty much both NJ's & Philly's fault (and, to all you Philadelphians, I said "Philly" just to tick you off; bite me) for not being arsed/having the werewithal to complete their section of it in a timely fashion. Hell it still isn't "complete", what, like 50 years later? Still can't get it done. Those people are dumber than Rocky and more crooked than a dog's hind leg, the lot of them. Why else would drivers still have to be paying tolls on a road (the NJ turnpike) that was completed 55 freaking years ago! They'd charge tolls for breathing if they were smart enough to come up with a way to monitor it.



Ha! The Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge were paid off by toll payments four decades ago. Just another example of effin El Lay screwing us generous norcalers.

I seem to recall a long section of highway around Trenton where you can travel on 195 North and 295 South at the same time. The road goes east-west. I don't know how you could possibly figure out if you were going the right way if the sun was high in the sky.

80 East and 580 West are the same highway, which heads north thru Berkeley.

[D_Odds]

80 East and 580 West are the same highway, which heads north thru Berkeley.On Long Island, 25 East and 25A East cross each other perpendicularly at least twice

[Beware of Doug]

Say what you will about New Jersey, it's still better than Massachusetts. I gre up in Jersey but now live in Massachusetts, and their disregard for the laws of traffic, commen sense, and even physics puts New Jersey in the dust.Not for nothing do both states' (http://people.zeelandnet.nl/tberry/uniforms/njsp.jpg) troopers (http://www.boinkme.com/picture/mitt-romney.jpg) wear such neofascist (http://www.sogamed.com/upload/sg-funbox-134-img_small-matt-damon-departed-uniform04.jpg) uniforms (http://southjerseyvideomagazine.com/2006/07july/07252006ninetrey.jpg).

[Jennshark]

Let me second the Mapquest problem! I've been here five months and have had to divorce all online direction programs. These programs actually believe that roads called "Winding Bush Washington Parkway" don't change to "Squirrel Tree Pennington Boulevard Street" every third mile.

I finally got smart and now drive two miles north to catch the 95 "North" to get to the 95 "South" and the Philly airport. This happened after the third time Mapquest had me meander through every one-horse town between here and Camden to get to the 'port.

I now tell my partner when we're entering "navigating by bat radar" driving. The map might tell us that the 295 is to the right, but we usually end up doing some psychic driving and enjoying the downtowns of places like Whitehorse, Whitehead, Whiteguy, Whitemama, and Whitewashingtonpenningtonroeblingville Township of BoroVille.

I do have to say, however, that while my part of Jersey is often directionally bewildering, at least they glue up an intersection sign here 'n there. Pennsylvania (where I work) sez "fuck you, you figure out where you are, sucker!"

[Jennshark]

I'm from the western U.S., where they are crazy about signage. You can find a "Los Angeles 712 miles" sign in Salt Lake City :p

[Jennshark]

And, a P.P.S.: NOTHING in Jersey traffic rivals that of Southern California's. I spent 18 years in SoCal Traffic and smile internally when people complain about the congestion here and in Philadelphia.

Okay, I think I'm done posting for a few minutes.

[What Exit?]

And, a P.P.S.: NOTHING in Jersey traffic rivals that of Southern California's. I spent 18 years in SoCal Traffic and smile internally when people complain about the congestion here and in Philadelphia.

Okay, I think I'm done posting for a few minutes.
I can drive in Manhattan, Philly & Chicago, I obviously drive in New Jersey, the worst place to drive is LA without compare. They can be very proud of the mess they made.

I don't know about Boston, but LA is worse than even Brooklyn. I wonder if any of our Bostonians have driven in LA. I have only driven around Boston so far.

Jim

[CalMeacham]

I can drive in Manhattan, Philly & Chicago, I obviously drive in New Jersey, the worst place to drive is LA without compare. They can be very proud of the mess they made.

I don't know about Boston, but LA is worse than even Brooklyn. I wonder if any of our Bostonians have driven in LA. I have only driven around Boston so far.

Jim


I've driven in Boston, New Jersey, and LA (in addition to other places).


I have to admit -- I think LA drivers are better than NJ or MA. By far.

They WILL stop for pedestrians. They let you merge in when you're entering. Boston drivers won't do that -- they'll gladly run down pedestrians (who equally blithely ignore cars and walk signals, so it all evens out). The Boston motto is, I think, the one Dave Barry credits to Miami -- "Death before Yielding".




Of the many times I've driven in LA, none of them were as annoying as the times I've spent elsewhere. You want traffic tie-ups? Besides Boston, try Atlanta -- worse than anything I've experienced in California.

[Annie-Xmas]

On dull day in the office, we go on mapquest and see how they recommend getting from here to there in our part of New Jersey. It makes us scream with laughter.

When a German e-friend had to get from Kennedy Airport to my house, I e-mailed her explicit directions on the best route. The taxi fare was only $40. I dread to think of what trip via mapquest would have cost.

[John DiFool]

One thing I remember when I lived (briefly) in central NJ is that there are very few major thoroughfares going N-S (more like NNW-SSE). There are some but typically they are about 10 miles apart (along US 17 and/or the Turnpike) if you are lucky, which means to travel in that direction often means taking very twisty convoluted routes, esp. if your destination is nowhere near a turnpike exit.

[Roland Orzabal]

3. The minimum acceptable speed on the turnpike is 85 mph. On the Garden State Parkway it's 105 or 110. Anything less is considered 'Wussy.'Is this a joke?

No, in all seriousness, are you kidding? I've had occasion to drive through your fair state three times now. Only once did I subject myself to the Garden State Parkway. I did this because, despite having heard the horror stories, I was headed to Delaware from New York and the GSP seemed the most direct route. So, I drove the whole length of the thing, north to south.

Never. Again.

I did not -- and if there be a God, let him serve as my witness that this is not in the slightest an exaggeration -- did NOT exceed 35 miles per hour in the state of New Jersey. Indeed, I relished those moments of 35, because they meant traffic was at least moving, and gave me hope that it might even continue to do so for another few minutes. Of course, this was only a pipe dream; we would soon grind to a halt again, separate into five lanes to pay our pittance for that particular ten miles of asphalt, then re-merge (in bumper-to-bumper traffic; gee, I wonder what the holdup was?) and begin the process again. I have never in my life seen a more infuriatingly, nigh-unfathomably stupid example of "civil engineering" as that chaos-twisted hellspawn of a road.

105? 110? In meters per hour, perhaps, barring accidents or construction. I have nothing against the rest of the state (well, except A.C. proper, but being from upstate New York I can't in good conscience blame all of Jersey for one city), but that thing they call a highway is just ludicrous.

[What Exit?]

Is this a joke?

No, in all seriousness, are you kidding? I've had occasion to drive through your fair state three times now. Only once did I subject myself to the Garden State Parkway. I did this because, despite having heard the horror stories, I was headed to Delaware from New York and the GSP seemed the most direct route. So, I drove the whole length of the thing, north to south.

Never. Again.

I did not -- and if there be a God, let him serve as my witness that this is not in the slightest an exaggeration -- did NOT exceed 35 miles per hour in the state of New Jersey. Indeed, I relished those moments of 35, because they meant traffic was at least moving, and gave me hope that it might even continue to do so for another few minutes. Of course, this was only a pipe dream; we would soon grind to a halt again, separate into five lanes to pay our pittance for that particular ten miles of asphalt, then re-merge (in bumper-to-bumper traffic; gee, I wonder what the holdup was?) and begin the process again. I have never in my life seen a more infuriatingly, nigh-unfathomably stupid example of "civil engineering" as that chaos-twisted hellspawn of a road.

105? 110? In meters per hour, perhaps, barring accidents or construction. I have nothing against the rest of the state (well, except A.C. proper, but being from upstate New York I can't in good conscience blame all of Jersey for one city), but that thing they call a highway is just ludicrous.
Actually the first 12 are not mine. They are one of these Email lists that roam the world. I used these 12 established rules as a jumping off point. As to the speed, it depends on time and direction. Traveling south on the GSP in the AM, I can be doing 78 and get blown past on a regular basis. 105 to 110 is an exaggeration, but 90 would not be.

Actually everything on the list is an exaggeration except #4, I believe that one is true.

I don't know what number we are on, so I will add #0:
0) Everyone in NJ can give directions from the closest highway exit and in New Jersey, you ask What Exit? (not which exit?)

Jim

[Voyager]

Interstate 95 enters a Bermuda Triangle like space in New Jersey. You cross the Scudders Falls bridge, continue north on 95, and it becomes 295 and heads east, turns south, eventually dragging your confused ass all the way to Wilmington, DE via the Delaware Memorial bridge. You can also get onto 195 from 295 and head east through the middle of nuttin' until reaching the GSP, or the ocean.

Only in New Jersey do you get to give directions about taking 295 to 95 - and trying to make people understand what the heck you are saying.

In traffic circles the person with the biggest car and/or the most balls (m or f) has the right of way.

In suburban Jersey, each car comes with a hunting license, to allow you to mow down deer. Unfortunately the money you save on venison doesn't quite cover your body work.

You are only allowed to go North and South, unless you are a native. Going east or west in the center of the state involves traversing a number of twisty roads, all alike, and all with state highway numbers two apart.

[Zebra]

If you see Neal Patrick Harris hitchhiking, do not pick him up.

[D_Odds]

Actually everything on the list is an exaggeration except #4, I believe that one is true.

Jim
I'm not so sure about that. 5 and 6 are certainly true in the bridge and tunnel areas. I wouldn't bet against 7 - just when you think you know which is the best lane for travel, they always change it. You nailed Elizabeth. Air filtration masks should be issued whenever entering.

[What Exit?]

I'm not so sure about that. 5 and 6 are certainly true in the bridge and tunnel areas. I wouldn't bet against 7 - just when you think you know which is the best lane for travel, they always change it. You nailed Elizabeth. Air filtration masks should be issued whenever entering.
5) is close to true, I am always shocked when the car in front of me stops for a yellow, usually I think I am pushing it, only to discover someone followed me through the light, I thought I wouldn't get through.

6) Is far from true, we don't honk like New Yorkers, but we honk plenty and road shootings are much lower than California.

7) Is mainly true of the NJ Turnpike, parts of it are under perpetual construction. The GSP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_State_Parkway) actually gets its projects done amazingly quick. Even the new extra wide Driscoll Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driscoll_Bridge) over the Raritan is coming along fast and with minimal interruptions.

As to Elizabeth, sadly, no exaggeration.

Jim

[Beware of Doug]

As to Elizabeth, sadly, no exaggeration.Yes. Do not enter Elizabeth without protection.

[Shecky]

Nobody has mentioned that most counties along the Delaware have a Washington Township. Makes for interesting driving when going to the one in Bergen County, but meaning the one in Burlington.

In the summer, if you must take the parkway, make sure you have a full tank for the wait between 98 and 80.

[Count Blucher]

As to Elizabeth, sadly, no exaggeration.


I humbly object: What you are smelling between exit 12-13 on the Turnpike is Linden & not Elizabeth. Someone once told me that the refineries pay the local town so much in taxes that there are virtually no property taxes in Linden. So the next time you hear someone complaining about NJ property taxes...tell them to move to Linden. (NJ 101.5, This Means You. Of course Linden may complain about Your smell...)

PS- Is there any truth to the rumor that the word 'Piscataway' is actually a native indian word meaning "corrupt official highway construction project which never ends and never ever progresses"?

PPS- Why is there Always a bad driver flying back & forth between lanes at 100+ MPH between the Vauxhall Road exit and Rt 280? And why does that driver almost Always exit in Irvington???

[nofloyd]

Rule #15 or 19, as you approach Elizabeth, NJ always ensure you either have nose plugs or the Air conditioning on with recirc. Once you drive through Elizabeth once, you will know why this is a highly recommend rule of How to Drive in New Jersey.


I used to live in Hudson County, and the smell approaching Elizabeth from the Turnpike always triggers a nostalgic 'I'm home' feeling. I can believe it's really Linden we're smelling as Count Blucher says, there's so much industry and the big cogen plant. But everyone says Elizabeth.

There's a small patch on the Newark Bay Extension (Newark side) where you get a whiff of something volatile (toluene-y?) many days -- that's the smell that worries me.

----
Once you're off the main highways, the Jersey experience can be much different. There are towns in Somerset County where traffic stops so you can cross the street. I was amazed when I moved.
"What is he (car) waiting for?"
"He's stopping so we can cross."
"You're kidding. They actually do that?"

[Frosted Glass]

The Pulaski Skyway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulaski_Skyway) was one of my favorite experiences growing up because my normally sedated dad was always good for a few quality curses while driving across. I also thought the exits were futuristic and cool because they drop out of the middle. As soon as I learned to drive I realized that it was the dumbest design ever.

As far as traffic goes, I have mostly gotten use to the congestion. I only get irritated when I am 4 miles from home and I know that it will take me 30 minutes to get there. Thats what residential streets are for though. Which brings me to my rule:

Rule #20: If you are sitting in traffic and people start to turn off the highway, follow them. The lead car is always going the same place that you are.

Jersey driving is all about the gamble. On my first driving lesson I had the pleasure of playing chicken across 130. I will never forget my instructor's words of wisdom. "Just gun it and go brah!"

[Ichbin Dubist]

The Pulaski Skyway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulaski_Skyway) was one of my favorite experiences growing up because my normally sedated dad was always good for a few quality curses while driving across.

Sweet Jesus, that picture of the Skyway without a median barrier actually made my heart jump.

Cross-Bronx : Pulaski :: teacup ride : Coney Island Cyclone.

[Annie-Xmas]

Nobody has mentioned that most counties along the Delaware have a Washington Township. Makes for interesting driving when going to the one in Bergen County, but meaning the one in Burlington.

In the summer, if you must take the parkway, make sure you have a full tank for the wait between 98 and 80.

That's why every single New Jersey legal document has to have the name of the county on it.

[What Exit?]

The Pulaski Skyway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulaski_Skyway) was one of my favorite experiences growing up because my normally sedated dad was always good for a few quality curses while driving across. I also thought the exits were futuristic and cool because they drop out of the middle. As soon as I learned to drive I realized that it was the dumbest design ever.

Jersey driving is all about the gamble. On my first driving lesson I had the pleasure of playing chicken across 130. I will never forget my instructor's words of wisdom. "Just gun it and go brah!"
I love this line about the skyway from wiki:
"The speed limit on the skyway is 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), but is not generally followed; there is nowhere for police to pull over speeders."
They forgot to add the speed will end up being either 75 or 15 depending on the time of the day and weather conditions.

[OtakuLoki]

I want to second CalMeacham's points about the relative merits of Jersey drivers, LA drivers and Massachusetts drivers.

Now, I have to admit, my experience in and around LA is limited - only about a week there, and I had the boon of not being required to do rush-hour driving. But, I'd be willing to give it a try. I saw nothing that compared to the intersection I had to cut my teeth on when I got my license: Trying to cross four lanes (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Bancroft+School,+Worcester&sll=42.567242,-71.795311&sspn=0.103669,0.233459&ie=UTF8&ll=42.296627,-71.802923&spn=0.001627,0.003648&t=h&z=18&om=0) of rush hour traffic in 250 feet, often from a standing stop - with no merge lanes (at least none recognized by other drivers).

There is one city in my experience that I will not willing drive in, and that is Boston.




However, I do have two more rules to add to the list of Jersey driving rules: both learned through bitter personal experience.

#21: Do not play with the rumble strips on the side of the GSP. Especially do not play with the rumble strips on the side of the GSP if you're in a car that's loaded with 80% of your worldly possessions, and much of that weight is sitting above the gas tank.

#22: If you do violate rule #21, when the crash sensor for the fuel pump cut off is fooled by the junk bouncing on top of it into believing that the car has just been in an accident, do not call for a tow truck on the GSP, unless you've got AAA.

[CalMeacham]

Now, I have to admit, my experience in and around LA is limited - only about a week there, and I had the boon of not being required to do rush-hour driving. But, I'd be willing to give it a try. I saw nothing that compared to the intersection I had to cut my teeth on when I got my license: Trying to cross four lanes of rush hour traffic in 250 feet, often from a standing stop - with no merge lanes (at least none recognized by other drivers).


Say, Otaku, I see you're in Rochester. Did you ever have to drive the Can of Worms, or did you get there after they cleaned up that mess?

Worst Interstate design screw-up I ever saw. In that one place, at least, Rochester was in world-class "awful" category. But the rest of the city (and the drivers) weren't that bad.

[OtakuLoki]

I got there while the Can was being reworked. I don't think I ever drove the complete original Can, but I did drive some of the in-process work. And while the road was bad, I never found the experience as bad as the times I'd had to navigate Fresh Pond Circle during rush hour.

ETA: In general, I can't say that I ever felt that Rochester traffic ever rivaled what I grew up with in Eastern Mass.

[CalMeacham]

I got there while the Can was being reworked. I don't think I ever drove the complete original Can, but I did drive some of the in-process work. And while the road was bad, I never found the experience as bad as the times I'd had to navigate Fresh Pond Circle during rush hour.



I've done the original Can o'Worms and Fresh Pond during Rush Hour. For my money, Can o'Worms was FARRR worse.

[OtakuLoki]

I've done the original Can o'Worms and Fresh Pond during Rush Hour. For my money, Can o'Worms was FARRR worse.


De gustibus and all that. I'll take your word for it.

[Beware of Doug]

Sweet Jesus, that picture of the Skyway without a median barrier actually made my heart jump.The picture (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Pulaski_Skyway_undivided.jpg) was from 1941. "New Jersey" as we know it today was barely recognizable in 1941. Newark was livable and shopable, Atlantic City was a middle-class family destination, there were turnpikes but no Turnpike, Philip Roth was in the 3rd grade, and Guido was still just a first name.

One can assume people's driving habits weren't so post-apocalyptic, either - there were a lot less people, a whole lot less traffic, and medians might not even have been needed.

[Labrador Deceiver]

I'm Southern. Really Southern. Born, raised, & educated here. Went to UGA. I bark on fall weekends & drink a lot of bourbon. After reading all the hate for Jersey, I felt the need to chime in...




Ahem...




I fuckin' love Jersey. I love the jug handles, the gas stations, the big hair, the 7,000,000 towns located 25 yards from each other, and the proximity to NYC. I love the drivers, the bridges, the accents, and the sass. I especially love the pizza, Ruts Hut, and the tiny, one-seating-per-night-only Italian restaurants that stuff you to the gills prior to presenting you with your doggy bag. I'll watch King of Queens & Harold & Kumar go to White Castle (among others), just because they remind me of the time I spent in that part of the world

That part of the Northeast is very close to the top of my list of places that exemplify Americana.

[What Exit?]

I'm Southern. Really Southern. Born, raised, & educated here. Went to UGA. I bark on fall weekends & drink a lot of bourbon. After reading all the hate for Jersey, I felt the need to chime in...


Ahem...

I fuckin' love Jersey. I love the jug handles, the gas stations, the big hair, the 7,000,000 towns located 25 yards from each other, and the proximity to NYC. I love the drivers, the bridges, the accents, and the sass. I especially love the pizza, Ruts Hut, and the tiny, one-seating-per-night-only Italian restaurants that stuff you to the gills prior to presenting you with your doggy bag. I'll watch King of Queens & Harold & Kumar go to White Castle (among others), just because they remind me of the time I spent in that part of the world

That part of the Northeast is very close to the top of my list of places that exemplify Americana.
Thank you for that post. I think very few of us are expressing hatred for New Jersey. I love it. This is one of those self-mocking things (like my username).

I am often the first person to defend New Jersey. It has more good than bad and is a great place to earn a living. It was a pretty good place to grow up and damn it is convenient to so many great things. I even have an Emu farm down the road.

One question, what is a Ruts Hut?

Jim (I love our Pizza & NY Pizza above all other pizza, Chicago falls behind despite IMHO on pizza)

[Labrador Deceiver]

Thank you for that post. I think very few of us are expressing hatred for New Jersey. I love it. This is one of those self-mocking things (like my username).

I am often the first person to defend New Jersey. It has more good than bad and is a great place to earn a living. It was a pretty good place to grow up and damn it is convenient to so many great things. I even have an Emu farm down the road.

One question, what is a Ruts Hut?

Jim (I love our Pizza & NY Pizza above all other pizza, Chicago falls behind despite IMHO on pizza)

I didn't mean you, really. It was more of an equalizer to those "happiness is NJ in your rearview mirror" type posts.

Ruts Hut is a hot dog joint near the city, in what my native-NJ friend assures me is the "ugly part" of Jersey. We were doing some work in the city, and he asked me if I wanted to go back to the hotel, then get a hot dog.

I asked him why we would leave Manhattan to get a hot dog.

"Because they deep-fry them", was his reply.

"I'll follow you there. Don't lose me in traffic."

Rutt's Hut (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS255US255&q=rutts+hut&btnG=Search)

[Voyager]

Thank you for that post. I think very few of us are expressing hatred for New Jersey. I love it. This is one of those self-mocking things (like my username).

I am often the first person to defend New Jersey. It has more good than bad and is a great place to earn a living. It was a pretty good place to grow up and damn it is convenient to so many great things. I even have an Emu farm down the road.

I live in the Bay Area now, but I want to move back to NJ when I retire. Hopefully before the big one hits. :) However, I lived around Princeton, which was described as a bunch of people pretending they don't live in New Jersey.

[Frosted Glass]

I didn't mean you, really. It was more of an equalizer to those "happiness is NJ in your rearview mirror" type posts.

Ruts Hut is a hot dog joint near the city, in what my native-NJ friend assures me is the "ugly part" of Jersey. We were doing some work in the city, and he asked me if I wanted to go back to the hotel, then get a hot dog.

I asked him why we would leave Manhattan to get a hot dog.

"Because they deep-fry them", was his reply.

"I'll follow you there. Don't lose me in traffic."

Rutt's Hut (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS255US255&q=rutts+hut&btnG=Search)

That is the tastiest looking meal I have seen since the Grease Trucks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_Trucks). I wish I had read this before I came back to PA for school.

[Emily Litella]

I've been to Rutt's Hut, my parents were going there since the 50's. Their hot dogs are the best on the planet as far as I'm concerned.

I live a couple miles from the Pulaski Skyway; I've never driven on it and I never will.

Rule # 24: On residential streets, if the car in front of you is making a left turn, you must pass it on the right or you'll get flipped the bird, or get shot. There's supposed to be a state law that passing on the right is illegal but it only applies if you're in an accident (take note George Clooney). If everone followed this law all the time the state would turn into one giant parking lot.

On the Turnpike or Parkway: If the cars in the middle lane are going around 70 mph and the cars in the fast lane are going at around 85 mph, it's okay to pass them in the right hand lane if you're in more of a hurry than they are.

I've also seen cars stop almost dead in the left lane on Route 17 and cut across 3 lanes of traffic to get off on their exit. I've seen this at least 4 times in the last couple of years.

[D_Odds]

I'll watch King of Queens...As a Queens resident, I'm fairly certain that Queens isn't in New Jersey. :cool:

Fairly certain.

I am What Exit?'s nemesis - I am usually the first to mock NJ. But I'm a lifelong NYer, having spent only a few years out of state. My father was born here; my mother has been here since she was a pre-teen. Unlike transplants to NY, the rivalry is inbred. The NY/NJ is a lot like the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry - the latter half of the rivalry soooo much wants to be considered as good and as cool as the former. ;)

[Labrador Deceiver]

As a Queens resident, I'm fairly certain that Queens isn't in New Jersey. :cool:

Fairly certain.



I know. I've been to both*, but the culture, cuisine & people are all so similar. That's why I said "that part of the world." As much as I love New Jersey, I love the city even more.





*I once organized the transportation for Coke during the Olympic Torch relay in 2004. We began the New York leg in Athens Park.

[What Exit?]

As a Queens resident, I'm fairly certain that Queens isn't in New Jersey. :cool:

Fairly certain.

I am What Exit?'s nemesis - I am usually the first to mock NJ. But I'm a lifelong NYer, having spent only a few years out of state. My father was born here; my mother has been here since she was a pre-teen. Unlike transplants to NY, the rivalry is inbred. The NY/NJ is a lot like the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry - the latter half of the rivalry soooo much wants to be considered as good and as cool as the former. ;)
Well you're half right, many of us would like to have what Manhattan & Brooklyn have, but we're not too jealous of Queens and Staten Island. I mean, I would rather live in Hoboken than Queens; it is also closer to the best parts of The City.

BTW: My Grandmothers and one Grandfather were born in The City, my other Grandfather came over from Bari to Little Italy as a little lad. My parents grew up in The City, and I was born in the Bronx. I know all about the rivalry and while I love The City, I don’t love it enough to live there with kids as I have a choice. I’ll have to thank my parents when I visit them tonight.

I do wish I was closer to "The Stadium" though.

Jim

[D_Odds]

I know. I've been to both*, but the culture, cuisine & people are all so similar.
Are you trying to start a fight?

[Voyager]

I know. I've been to both*, but the culture, cuisine & people are all so similar. That's why I said "that part of the world." As much as I love New Jersey, I love the city even more.

:confused: I've lived in both. I suppose they may seem similar if you're from the South. The LIE is worse than any NJ road, though.

[What Exit?]

The LIE is worse than any NJ road, though.
That is true, as is 278 through Satan's Island, but the Pulaski Skyway is scarier.

The Major Deegan Cloverleaf is pretty awful also, especially immediately before or after a Yankee, or at Christmas time or in the Summer, or on a Holiday weekend, or rush hour or if it is raining, or if it is snowing, or if it is sunny, or at night or during the day.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Are you trying to start a fight?

There are similarities. There are also differences. A lot of the qualities that I like about the areas are common to both. Some aren't. I spent time in both places on one trip. The show & movie I mentioned remind me of the same trip.

Are we good?

[Southern Yankee]

Originally posted by Frosted Glass

That is the tastiest looking meal I have seen since the Grease Trucks. I wish I had read this before I came back to PA for school.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've eaten at the Grease Trucks when I was at Rutgers. Two items stand out: the cheese steak with a fried egg on top; and the Fat Cat, which was some kind of giant burger on a hero roll that I barely remember, but my arteries sure do.

Thanks for bringing up those memories. I will now go eat Special K and salad for a month in penance.

And Jim, the key to the Deegan cloverleaf, of course, is to go as fast as possible without tipping. Otherwise someone may try to merge in front of you....

[What Exit?]

And Jim, the key to the Deegan cloverleaf, of course, is to go as fast as possible without tipping. Otherwise someone may try to merge in front of you....
I hold in my brain 2 secret ways to avoid the cloverleaf and get to "The Stadium" from NJ. Only my closest friends and family share these secrets and they claim to not be able to reproduce the twisted paths I take without me in the car.

Otherwise, yes, never give an inch, it is a sign of weakness and the wolves will prey on your carcass. That is the way to drive the Deegan Cloverleaf.

Jim

[D_Odds]

The Deegan Cloverleaf is a thing of beauty at 3:00am on Wednesdays.

Last season, for most of the baseball season, my client's office was in the NJ suburbs. So, to get from work to my games, I would have to drive. The drive from NJ to Yankee Stadium is far, far worse than the drive from Queens to Yankee Stadium, even equalizing for distance (and both are worse than the subway). I could not leave the office early enough to get to Yankee Stadium without stadium traffic. Perhaps if, like suggested earlier, I left a whole day earlier?

Fortunately, I should be city-bound this season, and get once more to take a 15-20 minute subway trip, enjoy excessive amounts of adult beverages, and take the subway home. My estimate is that the wait time to exit the parking lot equalizes the extra travel time by subway (when are they going to make that Bronx - Queens express subway?).

ETA: And parking fees anywhere within walking distance of the stadium are about 2 beers.

[What Exit?]

When you are following a car in the fast lane that is going less than the traffic flow speed, it will have a New York Plate.

[D_Odds]

When you are following a car in the fast lane that is going less than the traffic flow speed, it will have a New York Plate.That's just because we like to piss off NJ-ians. :cool:

[UntouchedTakeaway]

Every town in NJ has a River Road. None of them bear any relationship to one another and never connect to one another.

VCNJ~

[Hostile Dialect]

According to the OP, New Jersey is exactly like LA, except with drifter zombies and deer.

[Southern Yankee]

Originally posted by Hostile Dialect

According to the OP, New Jersey is exactly like LA, except with drifter zombies and deer.

Yeah, but drifter zombies and deer RULE!

[What Exit?]

Yeah, but drifter zombies and deer RULE!
I give welcome to our new Deer overlords.

[Annie-Xmas]

Every town in NJ has a River Road. None of them bear any relationship to one another and never connect to one another.

VCNJ~

Ditto Palisade Avenue.

Every little dirt connecting road will have some fancy name if there is even one building on it. Berdan Place is "the road that runs upside the laudromat by the check cashing place" but since it has a little auto repair shop on it, it has a name.

[What Exit?]

Ditto Palisade Avenue
Wait, it really does feel like I have seen one or two River Roads in every town, I almost never see a Palisade.

I checked, there does appear to be 16 to 18 scatter around North Jersey. There appear to be at least 68 River Roads.

Jim

[Count Blucher]

That's just because we like to piss off NJ-ians. :cool:

You know, as a kid listening to camp-fire stores at camp Wawayanda, I remember hearing stories about strange creatures that would slink into NJ. The males wore black socks, sandals, khaki shorts, and Hawaiin shirts that needed washing. The females had dyed jet black hair, designer clothes with full heels as beach-wear, but glowed in the dark from never having been in the sun. And they'd drive slowly...oh so slowly...on the left lanes of our highways to and from the Shore.

Funny though....from the stories I heard, I thought your name would be Benny. :D

[Billdo]

The picture (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Pulaski_Skyway_undivided.jpg) was from 1941. "New Jersey" as we know it today was barely recognizable in 1941. Newark was livable and shopable, Atlantic City was a middle-class family destination, there were turnpikes but no Turnpike, Philip Roth was in the 3rd grade, and Guido was still just a first name.

One can assume people's driving habits weren't so post-apocalyptic, either - there were a lot less people, a whole lot less traffic, and medians might not even have been needed.

Well, I wouldn't be so sure. According to that same Wikipedia article:

When the road was first opened, it carried five lanes; the center one was intended as a breakdown lane, but was in actuality used as a suicide lane for passing slower traffic. By the 1950s, the skyway was seeing over 400 crashes per year; an aluminum median barrier was added in mid-1956, in addition to a new coat of pavement designed to make the road less slippery.The idea of using the middle lane of the Skyway as a breakdown lane, with traffic whizzing past on either side is scary enough. But to have it being used as a two-way passing lane is friggin terrifying.