DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Can anyone please point me to an old thread which gave driving directions using a shortcut up to AC from DC?

I tried the search engine to no avail.

From what I remember, it knocked off a nice chunk of time, possibly by using route 50?

Thanks in advance, I'm going next Monday.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

It was called Bunky's shortcut, but I can't find it either at the moment. Has you going through an industrial park, and it does save time.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
It was called Bunky's shortcut, but I can't find it either at the moment. Has you going through an industrial park, and it does save time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, thanks. That helped alot.

Found it: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...part=3&vc=1

I'll be in the 11:15 am tourney at the showboat on Monday.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Can you copy/paste the directions, for some reason tha tlink isnt working.

I'm headed to borgata from baltimore on weds.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

first post =semi thread hijack.
i am moving to dc from vegas in two months and was wondering if there is a train that conects the two? i like to play long sessions and dont want to drive 3hr home after playing 12+

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Shortcut, take 95 north obv, cross Delaware Memorial Bridge, take NJ Turnpike to Exit 3, pay toll, can go left or right, left says "To AC Expressway", go right, make a left at the first light, go round through industrial park (speed limit 25, haven't seen cop yet tho), come round, bear right at the gas station, make a left at the stop sign, cross over the highway, make an immediate left, down onto 42 which turns into AC Expressway shortly. On the way back, it's exit 15, Creek Rd. Saves time if you miss lights going through Bellmawr.

EDIT: Google Maps Link should work; Turnpike, north on Black Horse, left on Benigno or Browning, onto Creek, across 42, go south.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
first post =semi thread hijack.
i am moving to dc from vegas in two months and was wondering if there is a train that conects the two? i like to play long sessions and dont want to drive 3hr home after playing 12+

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes...Amtrak from Union Station to Philadelphia. NJ Transit from Philly to AC. Just go to the Amtrak website.

The NJ Transit portion is really cheap (like $7). The Amtrak portion is much more expensive, depending on when you book your tickets, what time you are leaving, and what discounts you can get (e.g. AAA).

It takes 3-4 hours, depending on how long you spend waiting in the Philly train station (which is actually quite nice).

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

thank you. exactly what i needed

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
first post =semi thread hijack.
i am moving to dc from vegas in two months and was wondering if there is a train that conects the two? i like to play long sessions and dont want to drive 3hr home after playing 12+

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes...Amtrak from Union Station to Philadelphia. NJ Transit from Philly to AC. Just go to the Amtrak website.

The NJ Transit portion is really cheap (like $7). The Amtrak portion is much more expensive, depending on when you book your tickets, what time you are leaving, and what discounts you can get (e.g. AAA).

It takes 3-4 hours, depending on how long you spend waiting in the Philly train station (which is actually quite nice).

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out Greyhound rates directly to the casino. $35 round trip and you get a $20 token when you get to the casinos. Total cost round trip = $15 which is way less than the tolls and gas cost if you are going by yourself.

I have not tried this yet but have been itching to for months. No time lately. I figure you head up at like 5-6pm. Sleep on the bus and hit the tables at prime time. Take the 4am bus back catching another 3 hours sleep and you got a full night sleep (almost) and Poker in AC for $15 round trip.

Greg

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Yea just an FYI if you take the train from DC (I live in Philly)

Acela : 1 hour 30 minutes from DC to Philly (~$100 minimum)
NJ Transit from Philly to AC : 1 hour 30 minutes ( ~7 bucks)

Add in wait time and you have a four hour trip there easy if the trains don't synch up properly. (Trains to AC run about every hour on non-peak times).

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Shortcut, take 95 north obv, cross Delaware Memorial Bridge, take NJ Turnpike to Exit 3, pay toll, can go left or right, left says "To AC Expressway", go right, make a left at the first light, go round through industrial park (speed limit 25, haven't seen cop yet tho), come round, bear right at the gas station, make a left at the stop sign, cross over the highway, make an immediate left, down onto 42 which turns into AC Expressway shortly. On the way back, it's exit 15, Creek Rd. Saves time if you miss lights going through Bellmawr.

EDIT: Google Maps Link should work; Turnpike, north on Black Horse, left on Benigno or Browning, onto Creek, across 42, go south.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the exit on the way back. I always just took the black horse exit from 42 all the way back to the NJ turnpike. I usually need gas by then anyways.

It doesnt seem like the industrial park shortcut should be shorter based on distance but man is it a timesaver. Especially during the day time.

Greg

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yea just an FYI if you take the train from DC (I live in Philly)

Acela : 1 hour 30 minutes from DC to Philly (~$100 minimum)
NJ Transit from Philly to AC : 1 hour 30 minutes ( ~7 bucks)


[/ QUOTE ]

There's really no reason to take the Acela. It is twice as expensive and saves maybe 20 minutes.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yea just an FYI if you take the train from DC (I live in Philly)

Acela : 1 hour 30 minutes from DC to Philly (~$100 minimum)
NJ Transit from Philly to AC : 1 hour 30 minutes ( ~7 bucks)


[/ QUOTE ]

There's really no reason to take the Acela. It is twice as expensive and saves maybe 20 minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't know how much slower the other trains were, I've only travelled DC to Philly for work which I don't pay for so good point.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Well this isn't really about the shortcut, but I live around DC and would be interested in meeting people to occasionally carpool/share a hotel room with in AC. Anyone interested could PM me, or please let me know if there is a better place where people contact each other for this kind of thing on 2+2.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Shortcut, take 95 north obv, cross Delaware Memorial Bridge, take NJ Turnpike to Exit 3, pay toll, can go left or right, left says "To AC Expressway", go right, make a left at the first light, go round through industrial park (speed limit 25, haven't seen cop yet tho), come round, bear right at the gas station, make a left at the stop sign, cross over the highway, make an immediate left, down onto 42 which turns into AC Expressway shortly. On the way back, it's exit 15, Creek Rd. Saves time if you miss lights going through Bellmawr.

EDIT: Google Maps Link should work; Turnpike, north on Black Horse, left on Benigno or Browning, onto Creek, across 42, go south.

[/ QUOTE ]

Going to AC I take the left on Browning, not Benigno (instead of coming off the turnpike and turning at the first light near the wendys, just keep going to the second light). You need to go all the way up to Creek Rd anyway to get to 42S so it doesn't make much sense to cut through the industrial park (benigno rd). Coming back to DC I take Benigno through the industrial park because the exit off of 42N puts you right there. Small difference but it shortens things up a bit and takes a few less turns.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

"Check out Greyhound rates directly to the casino. $35 round trip and you get a $20 token when you get to the casinos. Total cost round trip = $15 which is way less than the tolls and gas cost if you are going by yourself."

"I have not tried this yet but have been itching to for months. No time lately. I figure you head up at like 5-6pm. Sleep on the bus and hit the tables at prime time. Take the 4am bus back catching another 3 hours sleep and you got a full night sleep (almost) and Poker in AC for $15 round trip."

this is GREAT. tyvm greg

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

I used to take Greyhound from DC-AC back in college. It is a long, horrible trip (often 4.5-5 hours total), but yes, it is cheap. Takes FOREVER due to lots of stops and was habitually late (to be fair, this was a couple years ago). Also, Greyhound station is in shady area and return options are limited - not to mention using the b-room is so horrible that it is pretty much not an option.

One exception to this is that they have an express bus once a night to Taj (forget the time) that only takes a shade over 3 hrs. That one is OK. Or you can take one around 11 am there from DC (takes like 4.5) and then take the 4 am express back from Taj that lands you in DC in 3 hrs or less even (no traffic). Again, this was awhile ago so check the schedules. Also, you can't purchase tix in advance for AC buses and there are very long lines at the station with buses often selling out. You need to get there a solid HOUR early to be safe.

If you have the means and want to take pub transport, I highly recommend Amtrak.

Jeff

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Shortcut, take 95 north obv, cross Delaware Memorial Bridge, take NJ Turnpike to Exit 3, pay toll, can go left or right, left says "To AC Expressway", go right, make a left at the first light, go round through industrial park (speed limit 25, haven't seen cop yet tho), come round, bear right at the gas station, make a left at the stop sign, cross over the highway, make an immediate left, down onto 42 which turns into AC Expressway shortly. On the way back, it's exit 15, Creek Rd. Saves time if you miss lights going through Bellmawr.

EDIT: Google Maps Link should work; Turnpike, north on Black Horse, left on Benigno or Browning, onto Creek, across 42, go south.

[/ QUOTE ]

Going to AC I take the left on Browning, not Benigno (instead of coming off the turnpike and turning at the first light near the wendys, just keep going to the second light). You need to go all the way up to Creek Rd anyway to get to 42S so it doesn't make much sense to cut through the industrial park (benigno rd). Coming back to DC I take Benigno through the industrial park because the exit off of 42N puts you right there. Small difference but it shortens things up a bit and takes a few less turns.

[/ QUOTE ]

And depending on the time of day you get there it can sometimes be hard to get through the intersection after going through the industrial park and again making a left at the top of the hill with lots of traffic.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

OK, reviving an old thread here because driving up from AC tomorrow, and I can't really understand how this shortcut works (the old link is dead). I'm not even sure I know which road to take from the Turnpike to the ACX even without the shortcut, I have only done this with someone else who knew the way - when driving on my own I've always taken US40.

Actually whenever I come back from AC to DC, I take the ACX which becomes 42, then get onto to 295S, bypassing the Turnpike completely. I am not sure if this can be done in reverse though - does anyone know if you can go from 295N to 42 south? One would think you could, but the Google map looks kind of like 295N goes straight into 42N.

Even on the route I mentioned going home 42N to 295S, if you follow the signs it gets you there fine, but it is really unusual, it is kind of like you are making a U-turn. I think maybe the signs actually have you take an offramp, then put you back onto 42S, then onto 295S.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK, reviving an old thread here because driving up from AC tomorrow, and I can't really understand how this shortcut works (the old link is dead). I'm not even sure I know which road to take from the Turnpike to the ACX even without the shortcut, I have only done this with someone else who knew the way - when driving on my own I've always taken US40.

Actually whenever I come back from AC to DC, I take the ACX which becomes 42, then get onto to 295S, bypassing the Turnpike completely. I am not sure if this can be done in reverse though - does anyone know if you can go from 295N to 42 south? One would think you could, but the Google map looks kind of like 295N goes straight into 42N.

Even on the route I mentioned going home 42N to 295S, if you follow the signs it gets you there fine, but it is really unusual, it is kind of like you are making a U-turn. I think maybe the signs actually have you take an offramp, then put you back onto 42S, then onto 295S.

[/ QUOTE ]

This map should show the shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/2nfxxe

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
does anyone know if you can go from 295N to 42 south?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, you must get off onto 42N and then do a U-turn to go back to 42S.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK, reviving an old thread here because driving up from AC tomorrow, and I can't really understand how this shortcut works (the old link is dead). I'm not even sure I know which road to take from the Turnpike to the ACX even without the shortcut, I have only done this with someone else who knew the way - when driving on my own I've always taken US40.

Actually whenever I come back from AC to DC, I take the ACX which becomes 42, then get onto to 295S, bypassing the Turnpike completely. I am not sure if this can be done in reverse though - does anyone know if you can go from 295N to 42 south? One would think you could, but the Google map looks kind of like 295N goes straight into 42N.

Even on the route I mentioned going home 42N to 295S, if you follow the signs it gets you there fine, but it is really unusual, it is kind of like you are making a U-turn. I think maybe the signs actually have you take an offramp, then put you back onto 42S, then onto 295S.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am google mapping it now and they give the directions you mentioned rather than taking you on NJ turnpike. It seems like continuing on 295 then going south on 42 is actually 9 minutes faster than taking the turnpike and industrial park route. Is there a problem with 295 because the tolls on the turnpike are killer.

+EV

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

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[ QUOTE ]
does anyone know if you can go from 295N to 42 south?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, you must get off onto 42N and then do a U-turn to go back to 42S.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is not the way that google maps used to tell you to go but now it is the default. Somehow even with all the driving the wrong direction and uturning it is still faster than taking the NJ turnpike which is pretty expensive.

I am thinking of trying the 295 route the next time I go.

+EV

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

I just tried Google Maps, and it has me taking 295 to 42, but a weird back way between them, going past it and the back on another road.

Has anyone actually done 295N to 42N then made a U-turn? Is it difficult to do? How far do you have to go to make a U-turn?

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

This map should show the shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/2nfxxe

[/ QUOTE ]

Great mapping.

Mr.K also bothered to document all the street names in a previous thread, here they are.

[ QUOTE ]

1. Get on NJTP after crossing the Del. Memorial Bridge.
2. Take exit 3 and head NORTH towards Camden (should be RIGHT). This is the exit with the "Aquarium" sign, ironically.
3. Turn LEFT at the first light onto Benigno Blvd (Wendy's on left)
4. Take Benigno thru the industrial park, and make a quick LEFT then RIGHT when you hit Leaf Ave. You will go L on Leaf, and then quickly turn North (RIGHT) onto Wellwood Ave. This turn takes place at a sort of traffic circle.
5. Take Wellwood up the hill to Creek Road, and turn LEFT on Creek. Take Creek over top of Route 42.
6. Turn LEFT onto Harding Ave after crossing 42.
7. Take Harding to where it dead ends, you'll see an onramp for 42 SOUTH.
8. Take 42 South to the beginning of the ACE, and head on to poker glory.


[/ QUOTE ]

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I just tried Google Maps, and it has me taking 295 to 42, but a weird back way between them, going past it and the back on another road.

Has anyone actually done 295N to 42N then made a U-turn? Is it difficult to do? How far do you have to go to make a U-turn?


[/ QUOTE ]

ChillRob, TT, or RR, please fix this post so it does not kill formatting for this helpful thread.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

thanks guys, I'm def going to try this next week.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

I don't know what happened with the link I tried to post.

Anyway, I just went to Google Maps again, chose the exact same starting and ending zip code, and this time it gave me different directions than when I typed in the exact same thing an hour ago! What's more, I now have no specific URL showing at the top, just http://maps.google.com/.

It now does tell me to take I295N to 42N (aka I-76W) for 1.2 miles, take exit 1C towards US130, turn left at Market Street, then merge back on to I-76E, go the 1.2 miles back then I am back where I want to be. I guess this is the first exit at which to make a pseudo-U-turn.

Does anyone else think it is crazy that there is no direct access from going north on either I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike to get to the AC Expressway? One big highway crosses two other big ones, and they don't bother putting in ramps from either.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

From 295, you can also get off on Exit 28 (Rt 168) and either make a left at the exit and just circle back to 295S or make a right and stay on 168S until it hits 42S (if you stop at the 295 rest area and ask, this is the way they suggest).

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
From 295, you can also get off on Exit 28 (Rt 168) and either make a left at the exit and just circle back to 295S or make a right and stay on 168S until it hits 42S (if you stop at the 295 rest area and ask, this is the way they suggest).

[/ QUOTE ]

Depending on 42 N traffic, it might make more sense to go from I-295 N to 42 N to exit 1C (Market Street), go left at the exit, then get back onto 42 S towards the AC Expressway.

One would be halfway to this 1C exit on 42N anyway if trying to stay on 295 N, so why go out of the way to 168?

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone else think it is crazy that there is no direct access from going north on either I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike to get to the AC Expressway? One big highway crosses two other big ones, and they don't bother putting in ramps from either.

[/ QUOTE ]

From someone that works in South Jersey, take it from me that nothing the State of NJ does with their roads will surprise me. Really, I'm surprised there isn't a traffic circle between 42 and 295.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

the only time I've been near 295, we took the wrong on ramp.

I am a big fan of the industrial park shortcut that Stevie G posted tho. EZPass, turnpike, and the shortcut is the only way I can stand to make it to AC anymore. Taking 40 into AC makes me want to stab myself.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Hey guys, I'm getting my itinerary set for when I go next time. How does this look for DC > AC?

http://tinyurl.com/2dmmk7

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hey guys, I'm getting my itinerary set for when I go next time. How does this look for DC > AC?

http://tinyurl.com/2dmmk7

[/ QUOTE ]

It looks like you found the industrial park short cut exactly the way that I take it.

+EV

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

I am going to try the route that takes you from 295 up 76 and then Uturns today.

I'll have a driving report later this weekend detailing how difficult it is and whether it is faster than the industrial park route.

+EV

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

Thx

Good luck in deleware

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

The exit 1C trick is the way Greyhound does it. It is also the way I do it.

After crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take 295 N towards Trenton/Camden. At milepost 25 or so get in the center lane. Follow the signs that say 295N/76W LOCAL LANES (Camden/Trenton). After the highway narrows to one lane, and joins the main lanes, quickly move one lane to the left as soon as possible (to avoid going to Trenton). Then after the 2 right lanes peel off to Trenton (295N), go about 1000 feet, cut across 2 lanes of traffic entering the highway, and take exit 1C. This all happens very fast, PAY ATTENTION. Turn left at the stop sign, go over the highway, take the 1st right which is 42S, after rejoining the highway, move a couple lanes to the left and follow the signs to AC.

On trip back, take 42N to exit 1C, cross over, turn right to get onto 42S. After rejoining the highway move all the way to the left to catch 295S (Del Mem Bridge).

Reviewing the satellite photos before trip will help you understand the lane changes.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

coming from the DC area I always just take 95 over the DE Mem bridge to the NJTP to exit 3 (Blackhorse Pike, Stop at the wawa to fill up cheap gas) and then on to the NJ Expressway. Is the Benigno rd way really any quicker.

Going the way i mentioned usually gets me there in about 2.5 -3 hrs starting from the Bowie/Crofton area in MD.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is the Benigno rd way really any quicker.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never seen any traffic on Benigno. It dumps you off on 42 without messing with all the stoplights if you take Blackhorse all the way to the Expressway. I can't say exactly how much time it saves but I can say that after I took it the first time I never went the old way again.

Re: DC to Atlantic City Shortcut Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is the Benigno rd way really any quicker.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never seen any traffic on Benigno. It dumps you off on 42 without messing with all the stoplights if you take Blackhorse all the way to the Expressway. I can't say exactly how much time it saves but I can say that after I took it the first time I never went the old way again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depending on the time of day you hit it you can save 20 minutes easily. I do miss stopping at wawa, but I always take the short cut now.