THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE

[Colliemom]

Anybody out there driven or have experience with the Pennsylvania Turnpike? I'm trying to plot my way to the June PA GTG at Biglerville and right now, after doing some figuring and looking at maps, etc., it looks like the Turnpike is my best bet. The other route I had thought of was down I-77 through OH to Wheeling WV and then onto the the PA Turnpike from there.

I have not had any experience with turnpikes. I know they are toll roads, but wonder how they work. Do you pay a fee when you first get on or at the end when you get off. I noticed on the turnpike map on the internet that there are toll stops along the route, so wondered if you paid at every one or what. Are those toll collection points manned?

From reading the excellent information I received from the Ohio Turnpike Commission, I have noticed that OH has RV lots at some of their service plaza's on a first come first serve basis and that would be really neat for a quick over night. But I have not noticed any on the PA Turnpike. Wish I could get some written info on the PA turnpike, but it all seems to be on the internet. Haven't found a link where I can send for some info and have it here to look over and study.

Would appreciate it if anybody can give me a heads up on the Turnpike.

[rvgrammy1953]

Sue...We've done the PA Turnpike a few times.....it is a "get the toll ticket where you get on and pay when you get to the exit you want to get off at." They do have travel plaza stops along the way without having to pay where you can fuel up the towing vehicle and fuel up your body, too....Don't know about places to do an over night, but will try to find out.....I do know that when you enter the turnpike around Pittsburgh it will take you about 3 1/2 to 4 hours to drive to US 15 exit....that's when you are driving a car...probably longer when towing a TT......so we'll say 5 hours, total.... Hope this helps and will try to get back to ya' on more of the turnpike info...

[Echo]

The PA turnpike isn't to bad to drive. And Lori's right you pay when you get on and pay only at an exit you want to get off on. So it will depend on if you go the length of it before you get off or if you stop along the way at an exit. They have service areas with fast food and parking but they usually fill up early if your looking to spend the night. The one good thing that the PA pike has are large pull off parking areas. This is where a lot of the truckers will park to sleep. BUT there are no bathrooms in the large pull off areas. Having the trailer you wouldn't have to worry about that! I've spent many, many nights in more than a few of those parking areas! No one ever bothered me. Sleeping in a TT might be a little noisy tho. The road itself seems to always be under construction of course. Some up and down hills too but not real bad. Gas on the pike will probably be high but there are truck stops along the way off the exits where I'm sure it would be much cheaper. Can't remember how much it cost to run the pike the whole length as the company I drove for used a pike pass. It's cheaper to run straight thru from where you get on to where you have to get off, without any extra on and offs. But like I said gas will be cheaper off the pike.

My advice would be to spend the night parked and fuel up before you get on the pike. You can check before you leave to see if gas is cheaper in OH or PA and make a better decision on that. You will have weigh which savings are better . One shot on the pike straight thru without getting off until you get to the exit over by Harrisburg? Or cheaper gas OH-vs-PA?

Did I help or confuse???