Fastest Route from QV to Zoo using surface streets

[It'sJessMe]

It's zoo camp time again which means twice daily trips for me (in the middle of work) from QV to the zoo. I want to shave any minutes I can off the route. Thoughts?

On the way there at 8:00 am and 3 pm, I take Fitzwater or Lombard to 20th, then Walnut to 33, straight up to the zoo. It's about 20 minutes.
I'd love to get the drive a tad shorter but can't see how. I could take 3rd to Vine all the way to 33rd but I don't think that would save any time. Anyone have a better idea?

On the way back I take 76 in the afternoon (in the mornings I either take Poplar to 2nd where my gym is or just run the loop). There is always traffic on 76, but the surface streets then take forever.

[thegreattwizz]

Your 3pm should be pretty simple, seeing as the traffic isn't 'rushy' at that time of day.

I don't think you can do any better than 20 minutes.

All the times I've gone there, its the Parkway to 76, except once when I went from the PPA, which lead me to my route back.....

I'll take 34th to Market to Broad to South (or vicinity). I can't say the time on it (never paid attention really), but having done it a few times, it feels way better than the terrible traffic on either highway.

[It'sJessMe]

Your 3pm should be pretty simple, seeing as the traffic isn't 'rushy' at that time of day.

I don't think you can do any better than 20 minutes.

All the times I've gone there, its the Parkway to 76, except once when I went from the PPA, which lead me to my route back.....

I'll take 34th to Market to Broad to South (or vicinity). I can't say the time on it (never paid attention really), but having done it a few times, it feels way better than the terrible traffic on either highway.

3pm is awful. It takes longer both directions than it does in the morning. But I'll try your return route today, I've done it before and can never really decide which is better. But 76 has been backed up every day this week at 3pm so I'll try the streets. thanks!

[Nick19128]

It's zoo camp time again which means twice daily trips for me (in the middle of work) from QV to the zoo. I want to shave any minutes I can off the route. Thoughts?

On the way there at 8:00 am and 3 pm, I take Fitzwater or Lombard to 20th, then Walnut to 33, straight up to the zoo. It's about 20 minutes.
I'd love to get the drive a tad shorter but can't see how. I could take 3rd to Vine all the way to 33rd but I don't think that would save any time. Anyone have a better idea?

On the way back I take 76 in the afternoon (in the mornings I either take Poplar to 2nd where my gym is or just run the loop). There is always traffic on 76, but the surface streets then take forever.

If you're making this trip in twenty minutes, you're making good time. I don't know if my suggestions will save you time, but they're good alternates if youre regular route is jammed.

From Queen Village to the zoo, you could drive north to Market Street; turn left (east) onto Market; drive around City Hall onto J.F.K. Boulevard; from J.F.K. Boulevard turn onto the Ben Franklin Parkway; Drive the length of the Parkway, past the Art Museum and onto Kelly Drive; turn right onto Sedgely Drive; turn right onto Poplar Drive; and finally turn left (east) onto Girard Avenue.

[Bean Counter]

It's zoo camp time again which means twice daily trips for me (in the middle of work) from QV to the zoo. I want to shave any minutes I can off the route. Thoughts?

On the way there at 8:00 am and 3 pm, I take Fitzwater or Lombard to 20th, then Walnut to 33, straight up to the zoo. It's about 20 minutes.
I'd love to get the drive a tad shorter but can't see how. I could take 3rd to Vine all the way to 33rd but I don't think that would save any time. Anyone have a better idea?

On the way back I take 76 in the afternoon (in the mornings I either take Poplar to 2nd where my gym is or just run the loop). There is always traffic on 76, but the surface streets then take forever.

When the Columbus Blvd - 676 - 76 route might be too crowded, my husband uses Washington Ave and Grays Ferry Ave to go over the 34th St/University Avenue Bridge to get there.

[It'sJessMe]

If you're making this trip in twenty minutes, you're making good time. I don't know if my suggestions will save you time, but they're good alternates if youre regular route is jammed.

From Queen Village to the zoo, you could drive north to Market Street; turn left (east) onto Market; drive around City Hall onto J.F.K. Boulevard; from J.F.K. Boulevard turn onto the Ben Franklin Parkway; Drive the length of the Parkway, past the Art Museum and onto Kelly Drive; turn right onto Sedgely Drive; turn right onto Poplar Drive; and finally turn left (east) onto Girard Avenue.

Oh I never thought of doing it that way. After I drop the kids off I often run the loop so I take Sedgely there, then head home roughly the opposite of what you describe. I honestly never thought about doing it this way!

Today coming home I just took 34th over the South St bridge then when South St got crowded jumped over to Bainbridge for the rest of the drive. Still 20 minutes.

[hkp]

IMO 20 minutes is unbelievable. That's honestly something is brag about.

[It'sJessMe]

IMO 20 minutes is unbelievable. That's honestly something is brag about.

Really? I keep thinking I should get it under! Maybe I'll stop being so frustrated now. Going there is a breeze, Fitzwater is really smooth, and once I realized how much better 20th is than 22nd heading north, that stretch got less frustrating. And once I'm on 33rd I can sail through too. Ok, I'll try to shift my attitude

[hkp]

Really? I keep thinking I should get it under! Maybe I'll stop being so frustrated now. Going there is a breeze, Fitzwater is really smooth, and once I realized how much better 20th is than 22nd heading north, that stretch got less frustrating. And once I'm on 33rd I can sail through too. Ok, I'll try to shift my attitude

I'd suggest deleting this thread so people don't catch wind and start congesting your route haha.

[loveisnoise]

I have a teleportation device for sale. Since you're a friend, I'll give it to you for $20k. Now, I can't let you have any free rides and I can't be bothered with it after the sale, but for this price how can you go wrong?

[It'sJessMe]

I have a teleportation device for sale. Since you're a friend, I'll give it to you for $20k. Now, I can't let you have any free rides and I can't be bothered with it after the sale, but for this price how can you go wrong?

You've got a deal!

[It'sJessMe]

I'd suggest deleting this thread so people don't catch wind and start congesting your route haha.

hmmm....good point!

(That reminds me of a corporate retreat I went on years ago where we had to do some bonding exercise about our favorite place in the world. One woman got up and gave this long speech about her favorite place and then refused to tell anyone where it was, saying "if I tell you, you will all suddenly start going there". I kept thinking, "wow, you're taking this retreat bonding thing way too seriously. None of us were actually listening to each other.")