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I plan on attending the University of Maryland this coming Fall, but have close family in the New York tri-state region (10 mins away from NYC). Is it out of the question for me to plan on going twice, or at least once, a month to New York for a weekend or holidays to spend some time with my family?

I am aware I'd probably have to haul my books and study while visiting, but I just want to know if making the 3.5 hour drive is at all possible during 1L..


I appreciate any input!

Yes it is. But it is up to you.

You might not want to invest that kind of time when it gets close to exams, but during the first couple months of the semester, I don't think that's unreasonable. Do keep in mind that drive won't always be 3.5 hours though...

You might not want to invest that kind of time when it gets close to exams, but during the first couple months of the semester, I don't think that's unreasonable. Do keep in mind that drive won't always be 3.5 hours though...

Yeah I definitely understand that. Maybe at the beginning of the semester I could go up to three weekends a month, but closer to exams that will cease. I'm not from up there, so, in general terms, how bad is traffic up there?

Ernesto3298 wrote:

You might not want to invest that kind of time when it gets close to exams, but during the first couple months of the semester, I don't think that's unreasonable. Do keep in mind that drive won't always be 3.5 hours though...

Yeah I definitely understand that. Maybe at the beginning of the semester I could go up to three weekends a month, but closer to exams that will cease. I'm not from up there, so, in general terms, how bad is traffic up there?

Leave at night and you won't have to worry about traffic. I usually leave DC around 10pm or 11pm and make it to Central Jersey (30 miles to NYC) in 3 hours no problem. Coming back on Sunday is tough if I'm lucky its about 4 hours. Now if you are actually travelling in and out of NYC than that is a completely different story.

No, the two places I'll be going to is a suburb of Newark and Westchester County, NY. So I should be fine in that sense.


One more question, how much will it cost me in regards to tolls?

Ernesto3298 wrote:No, the two places I'll be going to is a suburb of Newark and Westchester County, NY. So I should be fine in that sense.


One more question, how much will it cost me in regards to tolls?

Cheaper to take the boltbus def. but that takes 4.5 hours from DC to Newark, because it stops in B'More - but its less than 20 bucks - tolls alone are close to $20 I believe - $15 at the min (this is one way).

I almost always take bus/train home. Bus is 20 bucks and train is 50 to metropark (as long as you book in advance). Also, boltbus has free wifi and it gives you 4.5 hours to read or sleep or do whatever.

Ok, thanks. In regards to trains...is it through Amtrak?

Yea, Amtrak - NE regional - stops in New Carrolton, not sure if that is closer to College Park than Union Station - tickets are $49 for me when I book in advance shouldn't be much more to Newark. Also has free wifi and only takes 3 hours.

Got it. I appreciate your info, Mike. I may have to hit you up with a private message sometime in the future if I have a question regarding this matter.

Mike12188 wrote:Yea, Amtrak - NE regional - stops in New Carrolton, not sure if that is closer to College Park than Union Station - tickets are $49 for me when I book in advance shouldn't be much more to Newark. Also has free wifi and only takes 3 hours.

Maryland law is in Baltimore, not College Park

dolfan0516 wrote:

Mike12188 wrote:Yea, Amtrak - NE regional - stops in New Carrolton, not sure if that is closer to College Park than Union Station - tickets are $49 for me when I book in advance shouldn't be much more to Newark. Also has free wifi and only takes 3 hours.

Maryland law is in Baltimore, not College Park

Didn't know that. But even better lol, Bus from B'more is like 3.5 hours, train is prob 2.5 to Newark. And both will be cheaper.

I'm looking at prices on Amtrak and its $79 one way, Baltimore-Newark!! I thought that was the round trip price lol.. -____-




....and that's during the cheapest hours lol

Ernesto3298 wrote:I'm looking at prices on Amtrak and its $79 one way, Baltimore-Newark!! I thought that was the round trip price lol.. -____-




....and that's during the cheapest hours lol

?? http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak Baltimore Penn to Newark, NJ is $49 if you book in advance (1 month out). Friday May 11th I did and it came back $49 depending on the time of day. 8am it leaves. or 9pm

- The train is 190 NE regional - not acela or anything else

Oh...I see now. Got it. Thanks!