Living on the West coast, I’ve been sheltered from the dreaded toll fees; something I just today noticed while driving to and from New York to Pennsylvania. For a whopping $48 round trip, those dang roads weren’t much better than the freeways I travel for FREE in California.
However, this added cost made me realize that there really is a transportation difference between the west and the east coast. Of course there are benefits and drawbacks to living in any city, but when it comes to transportation, there are some elements I hadn’t thought of. For instance, visiting NYC and surrounding vicinities I’ve gathered the following pros and cons list for each coast:
West Coast Pros and Cons:
- Pro – no toll fees or digging up cash at the last minute (for those of us ignorant of toll bridges).
- Con – inadequate public transportation
- Pro – adequate (mostly free) parking (especially for those of us who struggle with parallel parking!)
- Con – cost -gasoline cost: $150 per month, insurance cost: $87 per month (plus whatever car payment there might be!)
- Pro – well marked highway signs indicating which highway you’re on
- Con – bottlenecks and bumpy roads
East Coast Pros and Cons:
- Pro – adequate public transportation; for $129 per month a limitless metro pass
- Con – no street parking, no free garage parking (the curb next to the hydrants aren’t color coded either, making it tricky to measure clearance.)
- Pro – less expensive transportation fees within a large metro (assuming one doesn’t need to own a car)
- Con – toll roads!
- Pro – lots of exercise; walking, running to catch the bus, walking up and down subway stairs.
- Con – unmarked highways!
I love visiting the east coast and making comparisons of the cities I visit. While in New York, I have walked more than I have in the past 6 months, really working out my legs. But, I’m just about ready to get back to my more peaceful home (the sirens in the city at night are sort of distracting.)
Do you make comparisons when you visit other places? Are toll bridges a good thing, or bad? And why aren’t the highways on the east coast marked?! Does anyone know the answer to this?
P.S. I’ll be back to replying to comments on Tuesday when I’m back home.
13 Comments
Whenever you travel in the U.S. or overseas, you inevitably compare things to your experience. In the UK, I loved the roundabouts, it was so much more efficient than a traffic signal. Living (former New Yorker) in southern California, I wish there were better public transportation. Maybe I am a pragmatist, there is no perfect place! I would rather live in Los Angeles with all its shortcomings than anywhere else.
I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and was blown away when I moved to AZ at how nice the roads were. Street signs AND lines on the roads, how does anyone ever get in an accident here?? haha. They even have left turn arrows!
Anyways, I think the street signs fall down and just never get put back. Everyone has lived there their whole lives and knows the streets by heart. They don’t need signs.
I hate tolls! As you say, the highways aren’t any better!
We don’t have tolls where we live but we have come across them numerous times when we have travelled. I think they are great for when you are in a hurry but not worth it if you have some time.
Any other state improves on Oklahoma. The roads are deplorable, *and* we have toll roads on top of it. The toll highways are marginally better, about the same as standard highways in other states.
I only have very sparse dealings with tolls (Thankfully), but I did find the public transit handy last time I visited nyc. I also walked more than I ever had during that trip as well. It’s great exercise.
Tolls are definitely a drag and there are plenty of them in the SF Bay area. I try not to drive much which saves a lot of time and hassle and multi task or meditate when I’m on the bus. 🙂
@krantcents
I love the weather here in sunny CA, but it would be great if we had a better transit system like NYC. The subways were so much faster than traveling by car (minus the grime and barf on the platform. 😉 )
@Ashley @ Money Talks
We have family in AZ and always comment on how nice and smooth the roads are when we visit. They always seem to be improving the highway system there to keep up with the population growth.
@Untemplater
I haven’t really driven in the bay area, but I kind of knew there were tolls there. But, as long as your transit system is good, you can avoid the tolls!
@Jeff @ Sustainable life blog
I was lucky to be staying right in the heart of the city most of my trip, so the subways, buses, and of course walking, were my main method of transportation. My legs are aching now, and who knows? Maybe I lost an inch or two. 😉
Hi Little House, The one reality of comparing LA and NYC areas is that you are comparing two of the most expensive locations in the USA. For me, I love them both!!! And concur with your pros and cons.
Tolls are collected on certain roads here in suburban Chicago as well. Now, keep in mind that the main highways in and out of Chicago itself are all free – well, except for one lightly traveled road. But the north-south highway covering the suburbs is toll.
Most people have automatic transponders to collect the fees. These are $0.50 every now and then – usually $1.00 minimum for a typical roundrip for most people, though it could get more expensive the further you travel.
My transponder is automatically re-loaded with $50 value once it goes to $10. It’s almost like they make payment in such a way that it doesn’t feel like you’re spending money – since you never have to stop to pay anybody, just when your credit card comes. Very crafty:)