Ahh, Road Trips: How Long Does It Take to Drive from Bellmawr to Lower Salford Township?
Are you planning a little road trip from Bellmawr, New Jersey to Lower Salford Township, Pennsylvania and wondering how long it will take? Well, my friend, it depends on a few things. Let’s break it down!
The Fastest and Slowest Routes
There are two common routes to get from Bellmawr to Lower Salford Township, and they both involve some combination of major highways (such as I-76, I-95, and PA-309). The fastest route, according to Google Maps, is to take I-76 W and I-476 N, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on a good day (we’ll get to the traffic factor later). This route is approximately 66 miles. However, there’s an alternate route via NJ-42 S and PA-422 W that’s only slightly longer at 70 miles, but Google Maps estimates it would take an additional 10-15 minutes.
Now, depending on where you’re starting in Bellmawr and where your final destination is in Lower Salford Township, it’s possible that the NJ-42 S and PA-422 W may actually be the fastest option for you. It’s always a good idea to check Google Maps for your specific route to get more accurate directions.
Driving Time Based on Traffic
Now, let’s talk about the dreaded traffic factor. Just like any other major highway, there are certain times of day when you’re going to hit more traffic than others, especially around the Philadelphia area. In general, if you’re driving during rush hour (between 7-9 am or 4-6 pm), you should add at least 20-30 minutes to your estimated drive time, especially if you’re taking I-76 W. However, if you’re headed out during off-peak times, you may actually have the opposite experience and get to your destination a little faster than anticipated!
Since most people will be traveling during rush hour though, let’s look at that first route (via I-76 W and I-476 N) again. According to TomTom’s Traffic Index, which analyzes 63 cities in the US to determine traffic congestion levels, the entire Philadelphia region typically has a congestion level of around 30%, with peak rush hour bumping that number up to around 36%. So, during rush hour, you may be looking at closer to 1.5 hours of travel time from Bellmawr to Lower Salford Township (with I-76 W being the primary bottleneck). However, outside of rush hour, you may be able to make it in just an hour or a little over.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum it up: the fastest route from Bellmawr to Lower Salford Township is generally via I-76 W and I-476 N, though depending on your specific route and final destination, NJ-42 S and PA-422 W could be faster. If you’re traveling during rush hour, you should add at least 20-30 minutes to your estimated drive time, but if you’re traveling outside of peak traffic times, you may be able to shave some time off. Overall though, no matter which route you take or when you decide to go, you’re looking at around 1-1.5 hours of driving time for the trip. Safe travels, everyone!