We got in at 2:15am, after more than 16 hours on the road. Was it the traffic getting out of New York City? Nope — the Brooklyn Bridge and Holland Tunnel were wide open. Was it the weather? Nope — it slowed us down a little, but it wasn’t really a problem.
Was it the two-and-a-half hour traffic delay before and right after the Delaware Water Gap at the Pennsylvania/New Jersey border, where there was NO REASON AT ALL for there to be so many people?
Maybe.
The Unfocused Life 
I am so sorry for your miserable trip home and hope it does not prevent future trips. It was a big treat for us to see you on T-Day. Love to all.
Not to worry (because I can’t use the phrase “no worries” without feeling like a stoner) — we had a terrific trip, and will definitely do it again. Next time, we’ll just figure out a way to drive from Chicago to NYC without crossing the Delaware River, maybe by detouring north through Canada.