80 or 76 across Pennsylvania

[dcpac]

Has anyone run 80 or 76 West across Pennsylvania lately? I would prefer to run 80 wth out the tolls, but don't know about construction or which is less steep. I will be driving a heavy truck camper.

TIA

[JimFromJersey]

Like many other states in the northeast, PA has only two seasons - Winter, and Road Construction.

In terms of your question, I don't think there's a huge difference in the hills factor between either one especially in the western half of the state. The turnpike has undergone some rebuilding between H'burg and New Stanton, but I haven't driven it since 2014 so I'm probably out out date.

[Mike_and_Terry_]

Beware fuel in pa very expensive. When I go east I drop down to 68 it's a nice road and swing up on n81 in Hagerstown. fill up before u get to pa. fyi I70 west of Pittsburgh to ohio is not a good road.

[CloudDriver]

The last time we used the PA Turnpike (2014) we paid tolls of nearly $50 from the NJ border to the I70 exit at New Stanton. We don't tow, so that's for just a class 2 vehicle.

After that unpleasant experience we decided to use I80 when we headed west in 2016. The only toll we paid was $6.50 at the Delaware River bridge. Our other toll avoidance method was to use I76 and I71 in OH to pick up route 30 at Mansfield. In western IN route 30 connects with I65 north to join I80 at Gary. This avoided the toll roads in OH and IN. Route 30 is a nice divided highway all the way with light traffic until we got to Valpariaso, where traffic picked up.

[cbshoestring]

They both cross the same mountain chain, they both are heavily travelled, they both require (and will have) numerous construction zones.

Depends on whether your need to take a more southern route, outways your need to maintain the thickness of your wallet. Where do you want to enter/exit the state. They meet in OHIO, but they are two different spaces on the east side of the map.

Are you planning on stopping in the state? More choices of camp grounds if you stay north.

Most exits have some sort of services on I-80. Travel plazas on the T/P are few and far between...you will need to exit T/P to reach most conveniences.

TOLL CALCULATOR

[justaboutretire]

Choose your poison. Turnpike is very expensive. 80 is very hilly especially mid state to Ohio. There is always some type of construction going on both roads. I would rather put up with the hills than the tolls on the turnpike. JMO
Bill

[GeoBoy]

I used 76 last fall going to Falling Water and then Lancaster and the tolls were very expensive.

[dcpac]

Thanks. That site is really helpful

[gbopp]

511 PA, check the construction block.

When traveling in Pennsylvania, always assume you will hit road construction/maintenance. You're usually not disappointed. 😞