as well, call for a toll though usually not in
both directions. Consider paying for an E-Z
Pass account in advance to speed things
up, avoid having to scrounge around for
bills and change, and for reduced rates.
Otherwise, tolls can be hefty (for example,
bridge and tunnel tolls into New York City
are about $13 one way). The following is
only a short list:
̈ Atlantic City Expressway (connects Philly
and AC)
̈ Garden State Parkway, New Jersey (from
Cape May to Paterson)
̈ Gov Thomas E Dewey Thruway, New York
(I-90)
̈ New Jersey Turnpike and John F Kennedy
Memorial Highway (I-95)
̈ Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76)
̈ Delaware Rte 1 (103-mile long highway from
Maryland border to I-95)
̈ Dulles Toll Road (Rte 267) Northern Virginia
̈ Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Virginia’s
Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach)ROAD RULES
The maximum speed limit on most free-
ways is 65mph; Virginia has some sections
where it is 70mph. Police in cruisers and
unmarked cars enforce speed limits with
varying degrees of intensity. Some stretch-
es, like the Palisades Parkway in New York
and New Jersey, are known hot spots for
speed traps.Other road rules:
̈ Driving laws are different in each state, but
most require the use of safety belts. Texting
while driving is prohibited.
̈ Unless otherwise indicated, making a right
turn on a red light is allowed. The exception is
NYC, where it is prohibited unless otherwise
indicated.
̈ Children under four years of age must be
placed in a child safety seat secured by a seat
belt.
̈ Most states require motorcycle riders to
wear helmets whenever they ride. In any case,
the use of a helmet is highly recommended.PARKING
Public parking in cities like NYC can be
extremely challenging. Private lots tend to
be very expensive, and metered parking
rules confusing. In rural areas, it’s gener-
ally free and easy to find. See p26 for more
information about parking in New York
City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.FUEL
Self-service gas stations in New Jersey
are illegal. All are full-service; no tip is
expected. Most in NYC are self-service.
Otherwise, it varies, though the majority
are self-service. Most pumps have credit-/
debit card terminals built into them, so
you can pay with plastic without interact-
ing with a cashier. Fuel prices change
frequently and vary according to location;
on average, expect to pay $3.50 to $3.90
per gallon.
Loyalists swear by their favorite service
stations which include gas and conven-
ience stores: two behemoths in the area
are Wawa, in New Jersey, eastern Penn-
sylvania and urban areas to the south; and
Sheetz, found mostly in rural Pennsylva-
nia, Maryland and Virginia.SAFETY
The area in general might present a few
more hazards than elsewhere, if only
because it includes the most densely
populated corridor in the country. So traf-
fic around urban areas is thick; and drivers,
especially in New Jersey and New York, areRoad Trip Websites
American Automobile Associa-
tion (AAA; http://www.aaa.com) Provides
maps and other information, as well
as travel discounts and emergency
assistance for members.
Cost of Tolls (www.costoftolls.
com) Latest prices for all bridges,
tunnels and roadways in the area.
Gas Buddy (www.gasbuddy.com)
Find the cheapest places to gas
up nearby.
Traffic.com (www.traffic.com) Real-
time traffic reports, with details
about accidents and traffic jams.DRIVING.IN.NEW.YORK.&.THE.MID-ATLANTIC
(^) ROAD RULES