Ohio to West Chester, Pa

[sriethman]

My wife and I are headed from western Ohio to West Chester Pa, on Sunday. We have a 30 foot fifth wheel! MapQuest shows we can take either I-76 or I-80? Is their a preference on which one I should take? Plan on making it a one day trip. I know I'm probably crazy but i'll take my time and leave early. Oh and is their any good place to see the Philadelphia fireworks outside the city? Thanks for your help!

[JimFromJersey]

Nothing too much different to add to the above. I'm a WC (well, Exton) native. Taking the PA turnpike across is probably the easiest way. You DO NOT want to drive Route 30 for any length of time in PA. The Downingtown exit on the turnpike, then south on Route 100 will take you directly into West Chester. It will take, unless you do it at 3 AM, about an hour for that last 12 miles. Trust me. Traffic light every 60 feet. It's horrible, compared to what I remember from the 60s growing up. West Chester has also gotten quite built up in the last decade or two as well. If you are headed to the southern end (e.g., the college or whatever), take the US Route 202 Bypass AROUND WC rather than driving straight through it, which can be a horror in a car, much less a truck and 5er.

Go here - pics of the turnpike from around New Stanton area to Downingtown, then south to West Chester as described above. Last August's final leg home.

http://lens-flair.net/blog/mini-vacation-day-9-homeward-bound/

[RGar974417]

76 is the turnpike and tolls.It would cost about $40 each way. I would take I-80 east to Pa 322 south then I-81N to I-78W.Then Pa 61 south to Pa 222 south to Pa 422 east.The 100 south.

[lbrjet]

Always wanted to drive 30 all the way across PA, but never had the time when I lived in West Chester. Now I have the time but live on the other side of the country. Oh well.

[cbshoestring]

lbrjet wrote:
Exit off of 76 for West Chester is before King of Prussia. The PA turnpike is expensive, but is the most direct route.

I was trying to give the quickest route to the W. Chester Philly area, without knowing exactly where he was going. King of Prussia to 76 (philly) or 202 (Chester).

Obviously a trip down 283 into Lancaster can be entertaining, and 30 is not a bad ride into Chester.

Heck, 30 ain't bad from the Indiana/Ohio line clear across PA into Chester...I have driven every mile of it----ain't nothing quick about it.

[0rion]

just a heads up....there's some construction on the turnpike between new stanton and breezewood right now. We go to breezewood a few times a year and just did a trip memorial weekend. Heading back next week.

[lbrjet]

Exit off of 76 for West Chester is before King of Prussia. The PA turnpike is expensive, but is the most direct route.

[Rangerman40]

What he said..... ^^^

[cbshoestring]

sriethman wrote:
MapQuest shows we can take either I-76 or I-80? Is their a preference on which one I should take?

Throw that version of Mapquest away. You should be nowhere near I-80.

A bit of clearification here. I-76 and I-80 cross one another near youngstown, OH. 80 is toll in ohio, free in PA. 76 is free in ohio, toll in PA (not quiet true but close 76 is toll in OH for like 30 miles). Take a look at a map...toll coming out of PA on I-76 turns into I-80 toll in Ohio...I-76 splits south towards Akron.

YOU DO NOT NEED THAT FROM DAYTON. Hour north of Dayton???? I-70 is in your back yard is it not????

FASTEST ROUTE ...I would take I-75 north/south to I-70 east. I -70 runs with I-76 from New Stanton, Pa to Breezewood, PA (toll). At that point you can continue on the toll road (I-76) until King of Prussia, the toll road continues as I-276, you have to exit for I-76 into Philly...West Chester, etc..._

GET ALL THOSE TOLLS ????

Good, cause that is the way to make it a one day trip.

Alternatives galour if you want to stay of toll roads, but will take longer, normally burns more fuel.

[sriethman]

I live about one hour north of Dayton and about 30 miles from Indiana

[Jim_Shoe]

Might help if we knew where in Western Ohio you're starting from. The western border of Ohio is 180 miles long. BTW, I-80 thru Ohio is a toll road and runs from the western border to the eastern border.