Driving from Pittsburgh, trying to avoid tolls (Philadelphia, Lancaster: how much, college)

[hkrn44]

Is this possible? I looked it up on google maps and there is an option that allows you to click "avoid tolls" and its only a 30 min longer drive. However, I heard from a friend that they tried this before and they still somehow managed to pay tolls. Can anyone verify?

This is the main route which has the tolls:
Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA to 1628 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - Google Maps

and then this is the route I get when I click "avoid tolls"
Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA to 1628 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - Google Maps

[orrmobl]

I would trust Mapquest over Google - it's been quite wrong before.

Mapquest says 6 hours 14 minutes to avoid tolls...that's probably more realistic.

[maf763]

Agree with orrmobl - no way it only takes an extra half hour with that route.

[frankgn87]

I know for a fact that the back roads will take a whole longer then the turnpike. I travel this route all the time and will be next week in fact. The back roads will cost you another hour at least and maybe another $10-25 in gas depending on what you drive. Don't stray from the turnpike.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I know for a fact that the back roads will take a whole longer then the turnpike. I travel this route all the time and will be next week in fact. The back roads will cost you another hour at least and maybe another $10-25 in gas depending on what you drive. Don't stray from the turnpike.

$10-25 in gas for 30 miles extra? No way! At most you're looking at 2-3 extra gallons, making it $6-9 extra. Not to mention that these are not "back roads"; they're mostly major highways.

Even though it's not one I would have thought of (somewhat counter-intuitive to go north then back south again), I think it's a decent route. I-99 is one of the most uncrowded highways in the state and now that 322 is mostly done between State College and Harrisburg, that stretch isn't bad either. 283 is fine and 30 and 202 are fine outside of rush hour. I dislike 30 between Lancaster and Coatesville, but the other parts seem OK.

I've never driven on 22 between Pittsburgh and Ebensburg, so I don't know how that stretch is, but on the map it looks like it's 4 lane/55 MPH/few traffic lights. I'd give this route a shot at least, and report back to us on how long it takes. My guess is it will take you about an hour more than the Turnpike would.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by hkrn44

However, I heard from a friend that they tried this before and they still somehow managed to pay tolls. Can anyone verify?

They didn't do it right then. I can assure you there are no tolls on that route.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by pcity

$10-25 in gas for 30 miles extra? No way! At most you're looking at 2-3 extra gallons, making it $6-9 extra. Not to mention that these are not "back roads"; they're mostly major highways.

Even though it's not one I would have thought of (somewhat counter-intuitive to go north then back south again), I think it's a decent route. I-99 is one of the most uncrowded highways in the state and now that 322 is mostly done between State College and Harrisburg, that stretch isn't bad either. 283 is fine and 30 and 202 are fine outside of rush hour. I dislike 30 between Lancaster and Coatesville, but the other parts seem OK.

I've never driven on 22 between Pittsburgh and Ebensburg, so I don't know how that stretch is, but on the map it looks like it's 4 lane/55 MPH/few traffic lights. I'd give this route a shot at least, and report back to us on how long it takes. My guess is it will take you about an hour more than the Turnpike would.

I've traveled this route 457 times... 2.5 hours Pittsburgh to State College... 3.5 hours State College to Philly... 4 lanes the whole way except for perhaps 10 miles leaving State College and 10 miles between Pittsburgh and Blairsville.

[hkrn44]

I'll be using a GPS anyway. So I would have figured out that it was longer than 5 hours 35 minutees. How much are the tolls from Pittsburgh to Philly each way? If its an extra hour out of the way I think I might just pay the tolls. I am splitting them with another person so it shouldn't be too bad.

[toobusytoday]

Here's a link where you can figure out your toll costs: The Pennsylvania Turnpike - Tolls

[tscrilla]

Pay the toll, you'll be glad you did. I debated this same thing last year. One way to avoid paying it all though is to get off in Carlisle right before Harrisburg. Take I-81 to SR-581 south which changes to I-83 (no exiting or merging needed) then south on SR-283. This will take you to Lancaster and you'll be on Route 30 for about 15 minutes then you'll pick up a hwy again. It works because I've done it a couple of times and saves some money and doesn't add much to your time.