Best Nature/state parks along I-80 and/or PA turnpike? (Columbus: buy, construction)

[greenjay]

Hi,

For anyone who has driven through PA…

We will be driving from Brooklyn NY to Ohio this weekend and then back, either on I-80 or the turnpike, and would like recommendations for nice nature areas or parks close by these highways.

We are just looking for a nice green state park-type area to have lunch and run the dog and if possible, be able to see some nice PA nature!

It does not have to be RIGHT off the road; I don't mind if it is 10-15 minutes from the highway, but we don't want to drive 30-45 minutes to get to something, because it just adds too much time to the trip for us.

I may take one of these highways to Ohio and the other one back - so you can suggest nature areas for either highway.

Also, if anyone wants to recommend one highway route over another - please do so!

ps - if you happen to know toll costs on those routes, (not sure if I-80 has any tolls), please feel free to tell me! (I cannot figure it out via the PA turnpike website because I can't tell where I would be entering and exiting).

From googlemaps, it looks like it's 25? minutes longer to take I-80 as opposed to the turnpike, but the turnpike looks like it has tons of construction as well as not being as scenic.

Thanks!!

[Natural510]

I can't answer your main question, but just as an FYI there are no turnpikes in OH. The concept of paying to drive through a highway kinda threw me when I went through PA. Not sure to which part of OH you're traveling, but the only other main route from Brooklyn would be 95/76/70, but that only works if you're heading to Columbus or other part of central/southern Ohio.

[TheYO]

Originally Posted by Natural510

I can't answer your main question, but just as an FYI there are no turnpikes in OH. The concept of paying to drive through a highway kinda threw me when I went through PA. Not sure to which part of OH you're traveling, but the only other main route from Brooklyn would be 95/76/70, but that only works if you're heading to Columbus or other part of central/southern Ohio.

What are you talking about?!? The Ohio Turnpike runs all the way across the state. It's I-76 from the PA line to Youngstown and then I-80 (and I-90 west of Cleveland) from Youngstown to the Indiana line.

OP, which part of Ohio will you be traveling to? I-80 is definitely the more scenic route through PA, as opposed to I-76 (the PA Turnpike). No tolls on I-80 in PA either. I-80 is also a lot closer to Brooklyn than I-76. I-76 and I-80 intersect about 20 miles into Ohio.

I'd only recommend I-76 if you're going to Columbus or Cincinnati (or anywhere else in Central Ohio), as you'd be exiting I-76 for I-70 in PA.

[Natural510]

I meant turnpikes which charge tolls.

[RiverLover11]

Hey Natural, The Ohio turnpike charges tolls. Its def worth it if you're in a rush. :-)

[TheYO]

Originally Posted by Natural510

I meant turnpikes which charge tolls.

It does charge tolls. Here's the rate calculator.

Also OP, if you don't have an EZ Pass already, get one before the trip! You can buy one in NY or NJ and use it in PA and Ohio (and Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine). You'll save a bunch in tolls by using it.

For example, it's $17 to go all the way across the Ohio Turnpike without an EZ Pass and just $11.50 with one. In PA, It's $43.90 to go from the Ohio line to the NJ Line without EZ Pass and $31.38 with one.

Here's the PA toll calculator as well.

[woxyroxme]

I-80 is very scenic and has no tolls, it is my route of choice when heading east.

[CortlandGirl79]

Home - Mill Creek MetroParks In Youngstown is always worth a trip.

[SWOH]

Vermilion is nice, they have a lighthouse / park with a beach.

Besides there, the most scenic spot would be Cuyahoga Valley NP, which forms a good chunk of the "Emerald Necklace" around Cleveland. I think Cuyahoga Falls should only be a couple miles off the toll road, probably the most worthwhile stop.

East of Cleveland, you are going to be hitting Ohio's flatter countryside. The country vistas are scenic, but there are fewer parks with natural sights. Seneca Caverns shouldn't be too far off if you are into caves.

[greenjay]

Originally Posted by TheYO

It does charge tolls. Here's the rate calculator.

Also OP, if you don't have an EZ Pass already, get one before the trip! You can buy one in NY or NJ and use it in PA and Ohio (and Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine). You'll save a bunch in tolls by using it.

For example, it's $17 to go all the way across the Ohio Turnpike without an EZ Pass and just $11.50 with one. In PA, It's $43.90 to go from the Ohio line to the NJ Line without EZ Pass and $31.38 with one.

Here's the PA toll calculator as well.

That is SO EXPENSIVE! $31.38 with EX, which I have is WAY too much. I will take i-80 for sure. Thanks.

It's NYC to Cincy, by the way. Blue Ash actually. But the 30 minutes more on i-80 doesn't matter for that price.