10 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In Pennsylvania Before You Die
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
Road trip! Arguably the two sweetest words in the English language, right? Those of us who live in Pennsylvania know how lucky we are to have so many amazing destinations to visit within our borders. These are 10 of the best road trips in Pennsylvania, already mapped out for you. Just make sure to call ahead before you hit the road to ensure each destination is open.
We’ve got so many must-visit destinations in Pennsylvania, and these unforgettable road trips take us to just a few of those places. Before you set off, be sure to check off everything you need to take with you by taking a peek at this Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide.
Each road trip includes a link to the map, which you can quickly and easily customize to your needs and interests.
Enjoy a spooky adventure on this road trip that will take you to some of Pennsylvania's most prominent ghost towns. The 11-hour, nearly 600-mile road trip will take you to such spots as the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, Fricks Locks, Eckley Miners' Village, and Concrete City. The road trip ends with an epic 36-mile hike along the Ghost Town Trail in Indiana County. Read more about this road trip through Pennsylvania's ghost towns.
Advertisement
Advertisement
While Pennsylvania may be bookended by two big cities - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - you'll find plenty of charming, picturesque small towns that will take you back to yesteryear. The nearly 14-hour road trip spans just over 700 miles and stops in such quaint small towns as Ligonier, Hollidaysburg, Elizabethtown, and Wellsboro. Learn more about these enchanting small towns in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania's rich history whispers from all corners of the state, although some of the remnants of the past are now abandoned. Hit the road on this ultimate road trip to Pennsylvania's most abandoned spots, and discover the tales behind such storied places as Centralia, Pithole City, Eastern State Penitentiary, Old York County Prison, and Larimer School. The cross-state road trip takes almost 14 hours and covers 779 miles. Please note that you'll have to admire Centralia from afar as no trespassing in the town is allowed. Here's the map for and more information on the road trip to Pennsylvania's most abandoned places.
Pennsylvania's home to some pretty impressive natural wonders. From Coudersport Ice Mine - which freezes in the summer and melts in the winter (yes, you read that right!) - to Ringing Rocks Park (where the rocks make music when you hit them with a hammer), you'll discover some of the most amazing natural phenomenons when you hit the road on this natural wonders road trip. The 11.5-hour road trip stretches across 563 miles. Learn more about the road trip to the most amazing natural wonders in Pennsylvania.
Advertisement
Pennsylvania's landscape transforms into a breathtaking masterpiece every autumn as the trees change to rustic colors. This epic fall foliage road trip will take you to some of the best spots in the state for viewing the fall foliage. Starting at the stunning Presque Isle State Park, you'll make your way to Kinzua Bridge State Park, Pine Creek Gorge, Gettysburg National Military Park, and Ohiopyle State Park. The marathon road trip will take about 17 hours as you journey over 800 miles. Marvel at the most breathtaking fall foliage in Pennsylvania.
Related Stories
This Epic One-Day Road Trip Across Pennsylvania Is Full Of Adventures From Sunrise To Sunset
Take This Road Trip Through Pennsylvania's Most Picturesque Small Towns For An Unforgettable Experience
The State Exploration Challenge - Essential Pennsylvania Stops For Any Roadtrip
Do you believe in the paranormal and ghosts? Don't answer that question just yet. Wait until you've completed this spellbinding haunted road trip across PA. You may just experience the paranormal along the way, as you visit such haunted stops as Hill View Manor, Van Sant Covered Bridge, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Devil's Den. The 14-hour road trip over 745 miles might even leave you breathless. Read more about this haunted road trip in Pennsylvania.
Advertisement
Get into the Christmas spirit next November and December when you take this road trip to Pennsylvania's most magical Christmas lights displays. You'll visit some of the most talked about Christmas lights displays, including Longwood Gardens, Candy Cane Lane, Hershey Sweet Lights, and Koziar's Christmas Village. This magical road trip, which takes 13 hours, spans over 700 miles across PA. Here's more information on the road trip to the best Christmas lights in Pennsylvania.
Journey to the most magical Christmas towns in Pennsylvania on this nearly five-hour road trip that spans 214 miles. Feel the spirit of Christmas past when you stop by the celebrations at Christmas City itself (Bethlehem), Lititz, Hershey, and Jim Thorpe. The 214-mile road trip is ideal for a weekend getaway. Here are all the details for this magical Christmas road trip in Pennsylvania.
Pack your camera on this waterfalls road trip that will take you through Eastern Pennsylvania and to some of the state's most spellbinding waterfalls. The six-hour road trip covers 267 miles and will take you to Ganoga Falls (along with 21 other waterfalls) at Ricketts Glen State Park, Nay Aug Falls, and Bushkill Falls. Here's the itinerary for the Pennsylvania waterfalls road trip.
Advertisement
The previous road trip takes you to the most spectacular waterfalls on the eastern side of the state. Now it's time to visit the waterfalls of Western Pennsylvania. Travel 375 miles in just over eight hours to explore such stunning waterfalls as Cucumber Falls, Linn Run State Park, Jackson Falls, Freedom Falls, and Springfield Falls. Find all of the details for the Western Pennsylvania Waterfalls Road Trip.
Which of these Pennsylvania road trips are your favorites? Let us know in the comments! Love waterfalls? Then you might want to day trip to some of Pennsylvania’s most majestic waterfalls.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Exploring Pennsylvania
What are the top must-visit attractions in Pennsylvania?
No matter what your interests are, there are some must-visit attractions in Pennsylvania that you really don’t want to miss out on.
- Pine Creek Gorge, better known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, is one of those must-visit attractions. You can view it from either Colton Point State Park or Leonard Harrison State Park.
- Take a hammer along with you to Ringing Rocks Park in Bucks County. You’ll have a short hike to the rocks, so definitely wear comfortable shoes, too. Gently tap the rocks with the hammer, and they’ll make music.
- Plan a visit to Bilger’s Rocks, too, which is home to boulders that date back more than 300 million years.
What are the best places to visit in Pennsylvania for nature lovers?
Nature lovers have no shortage of places to visit in Pennsylvania.
- Love waterfalls? Then there’s really only one place to go, and that’s Ricketts Glen State Park. Follow Falls Trail to see all 21 of the park’s named waterfalls.
- If you’re in search of quiet among nature, plan a visit to Hammersley Wild Area, the most remote spot in Pennsylvania. Explore one of its hiking trails in an area where no motorized vehicles are allowed and cell service is spotty at best.
- Stargazers will definitely want to spend an evening at Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, which boasts the darkest skies on the Eastern Seaboard.
What are some of the most family-friendly things to do in Pennsylvania?
Finding things to do in Pennsylvania is easy; deciding what to do first is the hard part.
- Learn more about a rare natural phenomenon when you visit Coudersport Ice Mine, which freezes in the summer and melts in the winter.
- Hiking is probably one of the best things to do in Pennsylvania.
- If you want a kid-friendly hike, embark on the one-mile Chickies Rock Overlook Trail in Lancaster.
Featured Addresses
Pennsylvania, USA