Best Road Trip Routes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's road trips span colonial history in Philadelphia, the Amish country of Lancaster, the Laurel Highlands' architecture, and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon's wilderness corridor.
Philadelphia to Gettysburg to Lancaster County
The definitive Pennsylvania history triangle: Philadelphia's Independence Hall and Liberty Bell → US-30 west to Lancaster County (Amish farmlands, Lancaster Central Market, Strasburg Railroad — the oldest continuously operating railroad in the US) → PA-340 to Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand → south to Gettysburg (battlefield auto tour, Lincoln Speech Memorial) → east back to Philadelphia via US-15 and I-76. Allow 3 days; the American Revolution–Civil War–Amish cultural sequence is unmatched in any other state.
Laurel Highlands (Pittsburgh Area)
Pittsburgh → Ohiopyle State Park (whitewater, natural waterslides) → Fallingwater (tour reservation required) → Kentuck Knob (another Frank Lloyd Wright house, 1956) → Nemacolin resort area → Fort Necessity National Battlefield (French and Indian War, 1754 — where George Washington surrendered for the only time in his career) → return to Pittsburgh. A 2-day loop through the finest scenery and architecture in western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Loop
Wellsboro (the state's most New England-like town) → PA-6 east to the Pine Creek Gorge overlooks (Leonard Harrison State Park overlook, 800 feet above the gorge) → Turkey Path descent to Pine Creek → Cedar Run and Blackwell (fly fishing on Pine Creek) → Slate Run → return via Tioga State Forest roads. The "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon" is 50 miles long; the rim and gorge roads give multiple perspectives.
Allegheny National Forest Scenic Byway
Warren → Kinzua Dam and Kinzua Bridge State Park (a historic viaduct, partially collapsed by a tornado in 2003 — the preserved ruins are now the attraction) → Kane → Marienville → Tionesta → south along the Allegheny River. The Allegheny NF is the only national forest in Pennsylvania; the reservoir and river fishing is excellent.
Sources
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