Getting across western PA
Looking for some experience / advice. Planning a trip in June where we will be heading for Minneapolis area from home close to the Maryland / PA line close to Gettysburg PA. I have been out / up R...
Forum Discussion
You think the traffic on the T/P is bad, where do you think all those truckers that are trying to avoid tolls go? I-80 is a heavily travel road.
Overall, it isn't too bad. Up, down, left and right. It is thru the mountains after all. A complete nightmare in winter, or windy/rainy days. Pretty bumpy in sections, and always under construction.
Not as "confining" as the T/P feels at times. I think you may be able to relax a bit more up there...providing for daylight travel---nice weather.
DOES NOT AVOID MOUNTAINS if that is your intention. Majority are from Bedford to New Stanton on T/P (for your trip)-- they are north as well, and run clear over to the PA/OH state line.
I do however disagree with your "couple more miles" statement. A quick map search says a trip from Gettysburgh to Austintown, Oh (I-80/I-76 split) shows about a 40 mile (one hour) difference to run up thru Harrisburg and across 322 to state college, etc.... compared to a journey across lovely I-70/I-76. Those are perfect scenerio times...sure better be going thru Harrisburg at a time other then rush hour.
I spent a couple months last summer running Pittsburgh--Jessup, MD, then back to PGH. I Left Pittsburgh at mid-night. If you are not afraid to leave early morning---say 3:00ish---- you could be up over town hill, thru Breezewood, and across the mountains before much of the traffic starts. Even the majority of crazy truckers are heading EAST at that time of day, so west bound traffic isn't that bad.
Overall, it isn't too bad. Up, down, left and right. It is thru the mountains after all. A complete nightmare in winter, or windy/rainy days. Pretty bumpy in sections, and always under construction.
Not as "confining" as the T/P feels at times. I think you may be able to relax a bit more up there...providing for daylight travel---nice weather.
DOES NOT AVOID MOUNTAINS if that is your intention. Majority are from Bedford to New Stanton on T/P (for your trip)-- they are north as well, and run clear over to the PA/OH state line.
I do however disagree with your "couple more miles" statement. A quick map search says a trip from Gettysburgh to Austintown, Oh (I-80/I-76 split) shows about a 40 mile (one hour) difference to run up thru Harrisburg and across 322 to state college, etc.... compared to a journey across lovely I-70/I-76. Those are perfect scenerio times...sure better be going thru Harrisburg at a time other then rush hour.
I spent a couple months last summer running Pittsburgh--Jessup, MD, then back to PGH. I Left Pittsburgh at mid-night. If you are not afraid to leave early morning---say 3:00ish---- you could be up over town hill, thru Breezewood, and across the mountains before much of the traffic starts. Even the majority of crazy truckers are heading EAST at that time of day, so west bound traffic isn't that bad.
