Crossing PA (Harrisburg, Carlisle, Washington: hotel, restaurants, prices)

[Traveling Mike]

This summer I need to drive to Kansas City as I am relocating there. I will be going via I70, and coming from northern NJ. Which is a better crossing I80 or I76? I am looking to have my first night stop off in western PA, and I will be driving alone. Thanks for any insight.

[fisheye]

I voted for I-80 because that should have the least traffic through PA. But I would check websites like this one (https://www.navbug.com/traffic_condi...vania/i-80.htm) as it gets closer to your trip. If there are many work zones and delays you might want to consider the alternatives.

[John F S]

80 is free - if that's a factor.

[Muinteoir]

Yeah, I voted I-80 because there is less traffic and it is toll-free. Google maps estimates I-80 is about fifteen minutes slower, which I think is worthwhile and would probably even out after traffic -- unless you are driving in the middle of the night.


I-76 is preferable in the wintertime because it is more well treated/plowed, plus its more southern latitude favors road conditions. I think I-80 has more potholes than I-76 too, which can be annoying (confirm anyone?).

In the summertime, I'd go with I-80 to save money on what is already a pricey adventure -- moving across the country! Good luck!

[Traveling Mike]

Thanks crew!

[NewtownBucks]

In general, I-80 is a much more pleasant (and cheaper) drive than I-76. The problem here is that OP needs to take I-70 to KC, and it's much easier to take I-76 to where it merges with I-70 and then just get off onto I-70 at New Stanton. If you take I-80 across PA, then you have to cut down to I-70 at some point (either on I-79 or I-71 or something) that will add probably at least an hour to the trip. Plus, if you're on I-76/I-70, you can stop at Breezewood, which is an easy place to get a hotel or whatever for the night.

[briantroutman]

I’ve drive both routes more times than I can count and am extremely familiar with both routes. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

I-80 is the “newer” of the two highways, having been designed and built mostly in the 1960s after modern Interstate standards were established. As a result, I think I-80 is a less fatiguing drive and blends more harmoniously into the landscape: Curves are gentler and more sweeping, and the opposing directions are separated by a wide, forested median. And as has been mentioned, I-80 toll free (except for the Delaware River Bridge at the PA/NJ state line). Getting from I-80 to I-70 is simple, easy, and direct: I-80 runs right into I-76 through Akron, then you take I-71 south to Columbus and I-70 westward from there. I’ve done it numerous times.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) is, of course, a toll highway. If you’re coming from northern NJ, it probably makes sense to take I-78 toward Harrisburg, then continue on I-81 to I-76 at Carlisle. The toll from Carlisle to New Stanton is $16.10 with a passenger car if you have E-ZPass. (Truck rates and cash prices are higher.) That section of I-76 was originally built in 1940, and its alignment reflects the fact that it was America’s very first attempt to build a high-speed superhighway. In contrast to I-80’s graceful curves, the Turnpike tends to be: straightaway, curve, straightaway, curve... And the opposing lanes are as little as ten feet apart, separated by a concrete barrier. But there is something to be said for the Turnpike’s unique historic character and the attraction of driving through the tunnels (three in that section).

Pavement conditions on both I-80 and I-76 are roughly comparable—perfectly smooth in some areas, a bit rough in others. In general, I’d rate both as “good” overall. PennDOT is in the process of rebuilding I-70 from New Stanton to Wheeling, and while there are some nice, new stretches of pavement, you’ll find some rather rough spots, too.

I-76 has an edge in the availability of motorist services. As with other toll roads, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has service plazas with fast food, fuel, convenience stores, and clean restrooms at roughly 30-50-mile intervals right alongside the road. Additionally, the Turnpike and I-70 pass through some more populated areas with a broader array of other restaurants and lodging options, notably at Breezewood, Bedford, Somerset, New Stanton, and Washington (PA). That’s not to say that I-80 offers nothing, but there are plenty of exits with no services at all and many more where lodging options tend to consist of old, threadbare motor lodges.

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can provide any additional information.

[North Beach Person]

The downside to either route is that you still end up in Ohio.

Take 80. It was mentioned about many exits not having services. That's true. Mostly because much of it runs through some of the most rural areas of the state. But you're not far until the next exit.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

The downside to either route is that you still end up in Ohio.

Take 80. It was mentioned about many exits not having services. That's true. Mostly because much of it runs through some of the most rural areas of the state. But you're not far until the next exit.

In general I would stop at a truck stop before a rest area. Most truck stops have clean bathrooms and even shower facilities (for a nominal fee), most have restaurants or quick food available, and they have fuel. Plus the security is probably much better at a truck stop than at a rest area.

PS Just wanted to add that, if you would take I-81 to I-76, you can hit rush hour traffic around Harrisburg. You can also hit traffic from the Farm Show or the Car Shows in Carlisle PA. I-80 can have backups from the NASCAR races in Long Pond - but the OP would hit that regardless if they took I-80 to I-81.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

The problem here is that OP needs to take I-70 to KC, and it's much easier to take I-76 to where it merges with I-70 and then just get off onto I-70 at New Stanton. If you take I-80 across PA, then you have to cut down to I-70 at some point (either on I-79 or I-71 or something) that will add probably at least an hour to the trip.

The OP is starting from northern New Jersey, and will have to "cut down" somewhere. Better to save $50 by taking I-80.

I-80 to I-76 West near Youngstown to I-71 South to I-270 West to I-70 West.

Not difficult at all, and it avoids the nightmare that is I-70 from New Stanton to the West Virginia line.