9 Best Road Trips to Take in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's breathtaking outdoor scenery, punctuated by lush forests, craggy mountains, and scenic rivers, makes it a prime road-tripping destination. Traversing the Keystone State unveils immense natural beauty ideal for scenic drives with windows down. From the jagged Pocono Mountain peaks to the shores of Lake Erie, colorful vistas await around every bend. Add to this historic small towns frozen in time, charming city escapes, and attractions celebrating Pennsylvania's rich cultural heritage.
The best road trips in Pennsylvania allow you to enjoy adorable scenery across the state, stopping frequently to fully take in each unique region. Follow these itineraries to immerse yourself in the splendid diversity of Pennsylvania's extraordinary landscapes.
Great Lakes Seaway Trail
Driving along this picturesque byway offers road-trippers an opportunity to discover pristine beaches, sprawling state parks, quaint museums, and bustling breweries while appreciating the history of Erie. The route is around 518 miles, but the Pennsylvania segment extends 64 miles from West Springfield to North East. Various highlights along the route encourage tourists to stop and explore local treasures. These include the adorable town of Erie, known for its captivating history and breathtaking nature.
This picturesque trail houses Presque Isle State Park and Erie Bluffs State Park, teeming with outdoor opportunities like hiking and camping. The Erie Maritime Museum is a must-visit and introduces visitors to the legend of the USS Niagara. Towards the end of the journey in North East, the Lake Shore Railway Museum promises an exciting historical experience. At the same time, the North East Marina provides aquatic fun, such as kayaking and boating on Lake Erie.
Bucktail Scenic Byway
Explore Pennsylvania Wild's stunning scenery along this picturesque 100-mile route from Lock Haven to Ridgway. Endless panoramic vistas and highlights along the route make for an unforgettable road trip, with an opportunity to explore state parks, national forests, and rare history. While the journey is exquisite in any season, fall is the perfect time to appreciate the changing leaf colors as you wind your way through the Sproul and Elk State Forest.
The latter's sprawling wilderness houses a thriving elk population, which allows for amazing encounters with majestic animals in their natural habitat.
Pennsylvania Route 6
National Geographic rates this route among "America's most scenic drives," which speaks to the experience that awaits travelers. Pennsylvania Route 6 stretches at least 400 miles between the bustling city of Philadelphia and the Lake Erie shoreline before extending into some parts of the Buckeye State of Ohio. Picturesque panoramas define this historic route, exposing tourists to rolling landscapes harboring dense forests, state parks, and adorable little towns. Several idyllic stops along the byway invite you to pause and discover local treasures.
In Wellsboro, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon presents the breathtaking scenery of the Pine Creek Gorge with sweeping vistas. Additionally, the Allegheny National Forest is a sanctuary for a thriving wildlife population, offering a chance to spot cute species like bald eagles, black bears, and white-tailed deer.
Elk Scenic Drive
Famous for its unmatched animal viewing experiences, this 127-mile scenic route cuts through five counties, delivering front-seat views of one of the country's largest land mammals. Other than exploring the diversity of Pennsylvania's wilderness, the journey passes through exciting small towns with unique attractions. A good starting point is in Benezette, which charms visitors with the Elk Country Visitor Center, an excellent venue to witness elk in their natural habitat. More fabulous experiences await at the Sinnemahoning State Park and Wildlife Center, ranging from peering into an eagle's nest to crawling into a bear's cave.
Drivers can leave the comfort of their car to exercise their legs along the primitive trails of the Quehanna Wild Area and enjoy some alone time. Additionally, the 50,000-acre nature area houses numerous bird species, so don't forget to bring binoculars.
Brandywine Valley Byway
Despite its relatively short length, the Brandywine Valley Byway is jam-packed with highlights along its 12-mile stretch to deliver a fulfilling experience. The journey begins at Chadds Ford, winding through the lovely towns of Kennett Square and West Chester before culminating in Wilmington, Delaware. This byway offers the rare opportunity to discover artwork, sample local cuisine, and explore curious history.
Some of the top points of interest to check out include the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, home to a fine selection of pieces by American artists. Within Kennett Square, Longwood Gardens enchants guests with its wonderland of greenery and serene atmosphere.
Historic National Road
The only all-American road in Pennsylvania, the Historic National Road stretches approximately 620 miles across six states and is the country's first federally funded highway. This stretched road passes through beautiful small towns steeped in two centuries of American history, allowing travelers to see the region's cultural diversity. The first stop you will come across when driving along the Historic National Road in Pennsylvania is Farmington, which introduces tourists to Fort Necessity National Battlefield. This is a hub for American war enthusiasts, preserving the actual site of the Battle of Fort Necessity.
Next along the route is Uniontown, home to a fair share of historic gems, from Searights Tollhouse to the Fayette County Courthouse. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington is another notable venue you should check out.
Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway
The Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway offers a mix of surprises. This scenic byway introduces road trippers to picturesque natural scenery punctuated by dense woodlands, gorgeous waterfalls, and sprawling farmlands. The journey spans 68 miles from Seward and winds through Pennsylvania's countryside to Ohiopyle. Opportunities abound to explore rare history and architectural gems in the different towns the byway passes through. At Ligonier, the well-preserved Fort Ligonier delivers a surreal journey back to the French and Indian War era. With this, visitors can pause their trip at Laurel Hill State Park to take in the beauty of Laurel Highlands.
This serene nature area delights with secluded trails and a chance to fish at Laurel Hill Lake. Finally, Ohiopyle is the ultimate nature lover's playground, hosting beautiful nature landscapes. Once there, consider exploring Ohiopyle State Park and enjoy wild rafting adventures on the whitewater of the Youghiogheny River.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Nicknamed "America's First Superhighway," the Pennsylvania Turnpike offers more than just a road trip. The 360-mile trip serves delightful scenes of Pennsylvania's backcountry as it takes you through underexplored small-town gems, from Irwin to Bristol to everything in between. Highlights include the Overholt Distillery Museum in Irwin, which preserves a rich whiskey-making tradition synonymous with the town. Traveling east to Bucks County, Doylestown harbors one of the most stunning downtown skylines in small-town Pennsylvania. The quaint community is famous for the Mercer Mile, which features three notable architectural masterpieces by Henry Chapman Mercer.
At your final stop in Bristol, several historic gems await exploration. However, one of the best experiences for newcomers involves lazily walking down the Bristol Wharf to blow off steam after a long but exciting journey.
Gettysburg Loop
Don't miss the exciting Civil War heritage and explore rare sites and artifacts on this delightful road trip centered around the historic borough of Gettysburg. This 3-mile loop is ideal for anyone passing through with only a bit of time to spare. The town played a landmark role in the Civil War by hosting the Battle of Gettysburg, which changed the course of the infamous conflict in favor of the Americans. The trip is a chance to relive the glory days, starting at Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. This lovely facility provides a preview of the experience awaiting, exposing you to insightful exhibits about the war.
Highlights along the way include Devil's Den and Little Round Top, two sites where the bloody battle played out. With this, visitors can witness the spot where President Lincoln stood when giving his famous Gettysburg Address at David Wills House and pay their last respects to fallen heroes at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Pennsylvania offers roadtrippers a memorable tour through stunning vistas and charming destinations off the beaten path. By meandering these scenic byways, travelers gain a new appreciation for the natural diversity and cultural richness within this historic state. Whether following river valleys, traversing mountain ridges, or strolling historic downtowns, memorable snapshots emerge around every turn. Most importantly, driving these routes at a leisurely pace allows for soaking in the peace and beauty of Pennsylvania's outstanding outdoors.
