hi all,

i was thinking about taking a job out in Norristown, but when i mapquested the location, it said i had to be on 76W for 15 miles. while mapquest says the whole commute should only take 30 minutes, i'm highly doubtful b/c i've heard that 76 is a NIGHTMARE both in and out of philly during rush hour.

does anybody acutally do this commute? is it really bad? how long does it take on average, assuming you leave at 8-ish and come back home around 5-ish?

also, are there any alternate routes that avoids 76?

thanks!

that commute will take you an hour. 8AM is prime bad rush hour in the AM. Leaving work at 5PM is also prime bad. If you mean leave work at 4PM you'll be in VERY SLIGHTLY better shape but not much.

Is your workplace anywhere near downtown Norristown? You could take the R6 line there or take the El to 69th street and then the rt 100 trolley right into Norristown.

When I drive to Malvern from CC, I leave at 6:30AM and it takes me 35-40 minutes for the 26 miles. But coming back in the PM it's 55-75 minutes most of the time, occasionally up to 90 minutes.

i'm not sure if it's in the downtown area or not. All i know is that it's located in the Valley Forge Corporate Center, on Jefferson Ave.

how long would it take to take the bus/train/trolley combo? i wouldn't mind that at all if it was reasonable. i love pulblic transporation, and just wish this city had more of it...

you dont want that job!

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is the commute really that unbearable? or is it that the norristown area is pretty bad too (once i finally make it there!)?

i've never made that commute, but you want to avoid a commute involving long stretches of 76, and, yes, norristown sucks.
well ...there used to be a sushi/korean BBQ restaurant out there called August Moon that was very good - not sure if its still there or good, but thats no reason to commute to n-town every day

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It's minimally an hour each way. Coming from Norristown, you need to be on 76E by 6:15AM. By 6:30AM, it is often at a standstill. Going westbound, you probably need to be on the road by 6:30-7 in order to avoid mass back-ups on 76W and 476N. I would only take a job out there if it was right off the R6, however, the locations for both stations are pretty sketch. You can go on 23W, which means less traffic, but it won't save you much time.

checking google maps, that looks like it's way over in Audubon (right off of rt. 422/Trooper Rd), not Norristown, even if it has a norristown zipcode.

Well, there is delicous Zwahlen's ice cream right over there.

So I will tell you that (a) Public transport will take you awhile, looks like the R6 and then the 131 bus, which will take 1 1/2 hrs, or you could bike the last 5 miles on the bike path and then 1 mile on busy roads. (b) driving is 40 minutes in the AM if you leave at 6:30am, and the 55-75 minutes I quoted for leaving around 4:30pm.

thanks everyone! i really appreciate all your info.

looks like i'll have to seriously re-consider taking that job. it's a great opportunity and all, but honestly, that drive would drive me crazy!

I've got a similar dilemma, a job prospect near Trooper Rd. & Boulevard of the Generals just up the road from yours.

Anyway, what I found is that two buses go near there, the 99 and the 131, and both appear to leave from the Norristown transportation center. And THAT is served by the R6. so....we may not necessarily be forced to drive the Schuylkill, but it could be a long public transport commute.