Conditions of I-81 thru PA

As of a couple months ago, pretty much normal: some construction here and there, some congestion, not the world's smoothest highway, but not terribly rough either. The speed limit is 55 for a fair few miles of it through some of the urban areas.

Depending on where you are in New York ("Central New York" is a pretty broad area), US 15 might be a good option, too. Between New York and Williamsport (at least) it's practically an interstate highway.

I know Wegman's drivers used to run 15 to Harrisburg from Rochester when they did the stores around DC some 15+ years ago. When ya headed down as we are going to the "fall" race in Sept.

When traveling in Pennsylvania always assume you will encounter road maintenance/repairs.

For road conditions check 511PA.com.

You will have a lot less trucks and high speeds on 15. I'm not sure about the new road north of Williamsport but everything south of there has a max speed of 55. The only congested area you will find is the 3.5 miles from Shamokin dam to Hummels Wharf. Quite a few red lights but also a few large parking lots to get into for lunch. 15 would be a lot less stressful if I were driving it.

We have traveled both routes in the past but not since 2019. I-81 used to be fairly rough in stretches and was looking for any info on the condition. We will be heading to the dirt mod races towards the end of April. Using 15 puts us thru a few urban areas where travel speed is very restricted but generally is a nicer drive, although our plans include being in those areas at entirely the wrong time of day.

gbopp wrote:
When traveling in Pennsylvania always assume you will encounter road maintenance/repairs.

I also live in PA, but your sentence needs a bit of adjustment.

When traveling in Pennsylvania always assume you will encounter road(S IN NEED OF} maintenance/repairs.

With the corrupt patronage system of the past and the phony prevailing wage nonsense, PA will always have bad roads because of the jacked up costs. Even with the highest fuel taxes in the nation they still wanted more. Now CA passed us with gas taxes but PA wants to add tolls to glean more money for their corrupt system and massively corrupt Pennsylvania Turnpike. Never will you hear that PA is doing anything to cut cost.

My daughter & SIL just got back from TN, they said the worst road was I81 in PA.

Lynnmor wrote:

gbopp wrote:
When traveling in Pennsylvania always assume you will encounter road maintenance/repairs.

I also live in PA, but your sentence needs a bit of adjustment.

When traveling in Pennsylvania always assume you will encounter road(S IN NEED OF} maintenance/repairs.

You are correct. What was I thinking? :S

PA state motto: Roadwork Ahead

HEY ! ! We here in PA are proud of our crappy/run down roads... They let us know we are almost home ! !

We were on I81 last June. I thought I'd try i81 south from Scranton. Bad decision. Rough tough road. We usually take Rt 209 south from Matamoras Pa to Tremont Pa. Longer but it's just easier. I don't know but I hope this helps. We too are headed toward Tennessee. Going to pick up US 412 out of Columbia Tn, with a stop in Nashville. If it dries out by then. So it looks like I81 south from Harrisburg..