This Summer we are going from Maryland to Mammoth Cave, KY. When looking at directions, I can either go out 70, then across WV, or I can go up to the PA turnpike through PA into Ohio and then down to KY. The times given are about the same, but would put us in a new state that we can camp in to add to the map.
Problem is it has been at least 20 years since I've been on the turnpike. I seem to recall there were barriers all along the road and not a lot of shoulder. Am I remembering this correctly?
Who has towed on the PA turnpike recently? Was it too stressful to warrant taking that route?
Thanks
fritz_monroe,
I live 3 miles from the Pennsylvania turnpike, drive it several times a week and tow on it a dozen + times a year. There is a 4 foot concrete barrier between the east/west lanes with 2-3 lanes going each directions. They have 5-6 ft paved area before the first lane and also a lane width on the outside shoulder before grass or guard rail that can be used for emergency vehicles as needed if traffic would be backed up. There is pull off area every 10 miles and a rest stop every 40 miles along the pike. It's a nice drive, better than all the other PA road conditions.
Greg, you'll be fine. We've towed it twice in the last 3 yrs enroute to the Michigan UP the 1st time & Indiana/KY the 2nd time. Both trips, we left on Fri night after work & drove most of the way in darkness to Ohio without a problem. Even in the construction areas, the lanes were not a white knuckle experience. You'll encounter some hills as you go west, but for the big ones, they have the extra climbing lane for big rigs & slower moving vehicles.
I agree with everyone else. Living in SW Pa I travel the turnpike several times a year and it is one of the better kept roads. You will definitely see the difference in roads when you get off the turnpike at New Stanton and continue west on 70 thru SW PA and the WV panhandle and into Ohio.
I have done 68 a bunch of times as well and catch 79n at Morgantown to 70. I like the drive either way and the distance is about the same. You can not go wrong either way.
You've never camped in PA???
While the PA Turnpike is quite compact compared to most other interstates I've been on, the Turnpike Commision has done a lot of work over the years to improve the safety of the turnpike. While there is not much distance between the opposing directions, the barrier is taller than you typically see. I've driven the length of it and towed quite a bit on it and its really no worse than most other roads I've towed on.
BTW the turnpike collects its operating revenue from the tolls (though does have to give some to the state) and from a PennDOT engineer I know, since they only have to worry about their own infrastructure its in much better shape than the rest of the state.
When they first built the Turnpike they expected about 10,000 cars a year. They had that in the first day.
[quote author=fritz_monroe link=topic=2290.msg21419#msg21419 date=1362798028]
But everywhere I go in PA is up 83 our 81.
Fritz, if you are looking for stopover places while going through western PA on the pike? Shawnee State Park is less than 10 miles from the Bedford Exit #146, and Laurel Hill SP is less than 10 miles from the Somerset Exit #110.
And no restrictions on your LP in the tunnels.
The only problem I have towing on the PA Turnpike is the price. It costs me from NJ to Gettysburg is $15.00 with EZ Pass. PA Turnpike Calculator is here. http://www.paturnpike.com/toll.....leage.aspx
Best Regards,
Norm
[quote author=adirondackcamper link=topic=2290.msg22682#msg22682 date=1365559993]
We avoided it couldn't see the extra $15 & it only saved a few miles.
It can get expensive, but there are just some areas of PA that unless you want to take extra time or deal with other BS you don't really have a choice. In Central PA crossing the mountains your limited in the South as most local roads run SW to NE. Rt 30 parallels the pike but towing a camper on 30 over some of the ridges is an experience in itself. If I had my choice when crossing the state between I80 and the pike I'll take the pike every time.
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