travel route across PA

I'll throw this out for your consideration:

To avoid the I80 toll road in OH, take I77 south to I76 east to I80 near Youngstown. I80 all the way across PA to I287south in NJ. Pick up the Garden state Parkway south at Perth Amboy all the way to Cape May. The Parkway does have tolls, but any other NJ route I can think of would take you way out of the way or make for very slow travel.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is probably the most direct route. However I avoid it as much as possible because of the TOLLS.

CloudDriver has a good choice. Check Google Maps for other options.
You will have to compare the tolls to the extra time involved taking alternate routes.

Sure you can avoid the tolls, but at what cost? Secondary roads in the East lead through the towns which means lights, stopping & going, more wear & tear on your vehicle, more fuel burned & much more time.

On the positive side they are likely to be much more scenic. You take your choice. Bottom line the cost won't be much different IMO.