This is only marginally related to coasters but, if anyone else can confirm my suspicions it’s this group. Ok I have been personally driving to Cedar Point since fall of 2002, some years I’ve only gone once, other years I have lived in Toledo and went very often but ever since I started driving there has never been a trip where there was not construction somewhere on the Turnpike between the I-75 exit (mile 64) and the route 4 exit (mile marker 110.) Every single time going on 23 seasons now. [Turning on my Seinfeld voice] What is the deal? [off voice.]. It’s 46 miles, I understand the need for road maintenance but it’s become a bit of a running joke in my family. This thread is to document if there is ever a time that there is no construction in either direction.
May 2024 report: Left Lane closed for a couple miles going west around the Perry Rest Are (MM 100) as well as a construction zone just starting/ending at the 110 exit.
Just want to know if it’s just me
2025 Trips: Universal Orlando, Disneyland Resort, Knotts, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sea World Orlando, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom
As someone who's been driving that section of the Turnpike for the last 10.5 years, yes, you're correct. They usually work on 10 mile stretches of the road at a time. I've just learned to give myself a little extra time during the summer months.
Here's the thing though... have you seen a better maintained highway than the Ohio Turnpike? It's 3 lanes, which is infinitely better than 2. The rest areas have up to 4 eating choices, restrooms are amazingly clean by rest area standards and there's 2 of each, so they can close one for cleaning with no problems. I've made this joke before that Ohio's 2 best features are their Metroparks and the Turnpike. It's quite literally the Disney of Highways, in that when you're on it, you see where your money is going.
Lately I've been taking Rte 2 instead, as it's equal in time for me, but right now it's Mufflehead season and you should stay clear of that route, especially at night.
I'm about to head out the door now for work (I drive from Lorain to Detroit) and will be on the Turnpike probably before you read this. I'll report back later tonight, haha.
The Ohio turnpike is nice but the tolling gates have got to go. I always seem to have an issue. I either get stuck behind someone who thinks the short EZ Pass lane is their ticket to the front and then struggles to pay or my EZ Pass doesn't scan and the gate doesn't open. I haven't had so much as a slow down at a PA Turnpike toll plaza since they went to pay by plate.
The NY thru-way between PA and Syracuse (and I assume farther) has no slowdowns either and they use the EZ-pass as the first method of tolling with the license plate being the 2nd method.
I believe that OH is going that same route although I have not been on it since the say they converted to this method.
West of Toledo you now have EzPass express lanes like Chicago has had for years, no more gates except at exits.
2025 Trips: Universal Orlando, Disneyland Resort, Knotts, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sea World Orlando, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom
Glad to hear that! In the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a delay but super annoying when it's a Halloweekends Thursday night and you're trying to make it after work. Not that I would know... :)
^When I lived in Perrysburg going route 2 would have meant going through downtown and then East Toledo, no thank you. Now a days I get on 80/90 at its origin just east of Gary IN, so it makes no sense to get off it “for the scenery” of central Ohio, there are no mountains and most of the way it’s too far in from the lake to enjoy the coastline.
2025 Trips: Universal Orlando, Disneyland Resort, Knotts, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sea World Orlando, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom
Interesting. I wonder if that is why Waze has been sending me via 2 from MI->Sandusky, but the turnpike for the return trip.
Little more then a month later, unchanged, eastbound lanes cut by 1 by the Commodore Perry rest area, westbound right before I75 loss of one lane.
2025 Trips: Universal Orlando, Disneyland Resort, Knotts, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sea World Orlando, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom
Just think, all you need to do is bully a technologically backward nation to open up trade with the US and you too can have a rest area in your name, and a rich suburb of a middle size midwestern city too.
2025 Trips: Universal Orlando, Disneyland Resort, Knotts, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sea World Orlando, Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom
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