<p>Flight 93 Memorial is off the PA Turnpike (exit 110 IIRC). Worth the trip and very powerful.</p>
<p>Okay. I thought 376 took you right through the city itself, am I mistaken? Seems that the possibility of heavy traffic would be greater that way than on the turnpike which is actually quite a distance from downtown Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Bald Eagle State Park, or google up the Pennsylvania Wilds
Maybe there you’ll see something that would make a good mid-way stop in central PA.</p>
<p>Yes, our rest stops on the Ohio turnpike rock! We are leaving Thursday morning- will probably drive straight to Cherry Hill (besides rest/food breaks) and then take some time Friday or early Saturday for an explore or two. </p>
<p>And I’ll admit, first time traveling the route, I want to keep it simple and not veer too much off the straight and narrow - on the way there anyway - my mom will get too anxious if I get too adventurous , she will just want us to get there in time!</p>
<p>If you take 376 you will go through the city which you may or may not want to do. As cities go Pittsburgh traffic is not the worst but you will have way more traffic that way. Unless you want to stop in Pittsburgh I would take either the turnpike or Route 80. Route 80 has less traffic than the turnpike and no tolls but also not much else in the western half of the state either. They don’t call it The Wilds for nothing! Don’t pass up a potty stop counting on the next exit to have something on Route 80. I would guess that the turnpike would be slightly faster but some people hate the turnpike!</p>
<p>That’s what I thought, psumom. I was pretty sure that it was 376 that goes through the city itself. We visit Pittsburgh often to see friends (and hockey!) but once there we are usually passengers so I don’t pay too much attention to downtown. I did think it was that road that went into the city, though. Not a senior moment this time anyway! 
</p>
<p>And, yes, 80 is a better road than the turnpike but there is very little in terms of places to stop if necessary.</p>
<p>We just took 80 through PA and the turnpike through Ohio. Got on the turnpike in Youngstown to I-280 and the toll was an even $10. </p>
<p>We took the PA turnpike on the route you are going on a couple of years ago. One tip, if you see a rest stop and you think you might have to use the restroom, get off! Rest stops are few and far between! It is not like OH where they are 40 miles apart. Whenever I’ve had to stop on the turnpike in PA the stops are crowded also.</p>
<p>Gonna play with the map today and see what seems to work best to avoid the bigger cities at least on the way out there. My brother in Brooklyn has also offered for us to hop up there for Friday night - yikes, I guess it’s only 2 hours from where we’ll be but I don’t know if I’m that brave to tackle NYC roads for basically only an overnight visit!!! </p>
<p>You all are so helpful - I’ll take a look at the map, post my thoughts on what I’m thinking is a good route for the trip out and get your opinions again. :)</p>
<p>So it looks like my two choices are:
I-76 E
8 hrs 46 mins / 537.59 miles
Est. Fuel Cost
$60.46</p>
<p>I-80 E
9 hrs 29 mins / 539.28 miles
Est. Fuel Cost
$59.51</p>
<p>I-80 would avoid more tolls in PA (correct?) and avoid Pittsburgh, but perhaps be more boring??? However according to this, would take longer. But that may not take into account any traffic we might run into in Pittsburgh, etc. I’m guessing…</p>
<p>Next I’ll have to look at the Philly area and figure out how to best avoid the traffic there - I think Always suggested switching to the NJ turnpike so I’ll look for that on the map…!</p>
<p>Also in terms of Outlet Malls…opinions of these two in terms of location/quality???</p>
<p>[Philadelphia</a> Premium Outlets - Directions & Transportation](<a href=“http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=75]Philadelphia”>http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=75)</p>
<p>[Franklin</a> Mills® Mobile Website - Philadelphia, PA 19154-3131 - Simon Malls](<a href=“http://www.simon.com/mall/franklin-mills]Franklin”>http://www.simon.com/mall/franklin-mills)</p>
<p>If you’re staying on 76, and not taking 376 all the way into/through the city of Pittsburgh itself, you don’t have to worry about avoiding traffic. The Turnpike (I-76) proper is a NW-SE diagonal, missing the urban core of Pittsburgh entirely. You won’t experience much traffic except at the two or three interchanges and it will be brief and light. </p>
<p>I-80 will be more scenic, and no tolls, but every time I have driven it there is about 400% more semi truck traffic than the PA Turnpike. If you don’t feel comfortable surrounded by big rigs, you may want to reconsider it.</p>
<p>Also, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is about 20 minutes off the Donegal exit (#91). It’s not necessarily a short stop to go by and take in a tour, but it’s certainly worthwhile.</p>
<p>As we did 1-80 yesterday and having done the PA turnpike, both are boring lol! Lots of nothing. Not much construction so that’s good. </p>
<p>If you do want to go into NYC this is what D does. Drive the car to Secaucus New Jersey. There is a train station right off the expressway. I think the parking was $19/day. Then it’s an easy $8/person ride into Penn Station. Hope I got that correct, if not I’m sure someone will correct me ;)</p>
<p>As far as which way to go I think 6 of one, half dozen of another. Have to get through PA, 80 will save $10 or so.</p>
<p>deb, How does that compare with driving to Hoboken and taking a Path train?</p>
<p>We just traveled on the OH Turnpike and PA Turnpike over the weekend. We got on at Toledo and off at Breezewood. The toll was $30.50 total, and a few dollars less on the way back. H filled the gas up at the OH Turnpike service center, he said it was more expensive at the PA Turnpike. </p>
<p>OH Turnpike service center is much better than the PA Turnpike service center, with a lot more choices for food and travel info. </p>
<p>You can check the website of both turnpikes, they list out the services available at each rest stop, and the closing of the stops too if there are any.</p>
<p>Premium Outlet >>>> Franklin Mills</p>
<p>Roshke - have you been to Franklin Mills? Is the area ok? Off of one of the major roads? D really likes this one.</p>
<p>Igloo, I’ve already driven to Hoboken and taken a train. I don’t remember it being as expensive as deb listed, but it was more than 5 years ago.</p>
<p>Philadelphia Premium is much more upscale than Franklin Mills and is a much nicer shopping experience - outdoor covered pathways, especially nice if the weather is good.</p>
<p>The toll to cross just PA is over $30 depending on where you get off near Philly, it is cheaper if you have EasyPass. Also fill up your car BEFORE you leave Ohio. Gas in PA often runs 20 - 30 cents more a gallon. My daughter goes to school in Ohio and we always fill up along Rt 80 in Hubbard or Girard, OH.</p>