13 Classic Pennsylvania Road Trips Only Locals Know Are Worth It
Pennsylvania’s backroads hold secrets that tourists rarely discover. Beyond the famous Liberty Bell and Hershey chocolate factory, a network of scenic byways and country lanes reveal the state’s true character.
Grab your keys and pack some snacks – these 13 road trips showcase the hidden Pennsylvania that locals treasure, from misty mountain vistas to quiet riverside meanders.
1. Northern Tier Adventure on PA Route 6
Winding about 403 miles across Pennsylvania’s northern edge, Route 6 strings together charming main streets like pearls on a necklace. Local murals tell stories of each town’s heritage while roadside diners serve homestyle meals worth stopping for.
The route skirts the edge of the PA Grand Canyon, where forests plunge dramatically into Pine Creek Gorge. My grandmother always packed thermoses of hot chocolate for our autumn drives here – the fall colors create a patchwork quilt of reds and golds that’s different every year.
2. Bucktail Scenic Byway’s Wild Heart
Locals escape to PA-120’s remote stretches when they need breathing room. The 100-mile route between Lock Haven and Ridgway cuts through dense state forests where cell service fades and nature takes center stage.
River valleys carve paths through mountains, creating dramatic vistas at spots like Hyner View. Side roads lead to Pennsylvania’s elk country, where massive bulls bugle during mating season.
Time your drive for dawn or dusk when wildlife emerges from the forest edges.
3. Grand Canyon Rim Drive’s Epic Overlooks
Pennsylvania’s version of the Grand Canyon doesn’t need a week-long expedition. Locals hop between Leonard Harrison State Park on the east rim and Colton Point on the west, collecting dramatic views with minimal hiking required.
The gorge plunges about 800 feet below these accessible overlooks. I’ve watched fog roll through the valley at sunrise, transforming the landscape into something almost mystical.
Bring a picnic – the tables at these parks offer million-dollar views without the crowds of more famous lookouts.
4. Longhouse National Scenic Byway’s Forest Cathedral
The 36-mile loop around Kinzua Creek in Allegheny National Forest feels like driving through nature’s cathedral. Hardwood trees form a living tunnel overhead that shifts with the seasons – vibrant green in summer, fiery in fall, delicate in spring.
Jakes Rocks Overlook rewards drivers with sweeping views of the Allegheny Reservoir. The road hugs the shoreline in several spots, offering impromptu swimming holes on hot summer days.
Forest rangers maintain detailed maps pointing out the best picnic spots and viewpoints.
5. Presque Isle Peninsula’s Water-Wrapped Wonder
Erie locals know the best sunset spots are along Presque Isle’s curving peninsula roads. This sandy arm wraps protectively around Erie’s harbor, creating a freshwater playground accessible by car.
The park roads trace the perimeter of this natural peninsula, offering alternating views of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie’s vast horizon. Beach parking areas mean you’re never more than steps from sand between your toes.
When I was growing up, Sunday drives here ended with ice cream and watching the sun sink into Lake Erie from Sunset Point.
6. Laurel Highlands Byway’s Architectural Treasures
The 68-mile journey between Normalville and Seward threads through Pennsylvania’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.
Waterfalls cascade through Ohiopyle State Park while Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces – Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob – emerge from the forest like organic extensions of the mountains.
Locals know to book architectural tours months ahead during peak foliage season. The winding roads climb and descend through tunnels of trees that explode with color each autumn.
The route follows ancient ridgelines where vistas suddenly appear around tight curves.
7. Historic National Road’s Time-Travel Journey
America’s first federally funded highway still carries travelers through southwestern Pennsylvania’s rolling hills. US-40 connects small towns where historic tollhouses and taverns stand as monuments to early American ambition.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield marks where a young George Washington fought in 1754. Stone mile markers still line portions of the route, counting distances as they have for centuries.
The backroad diners along this historic corridor serve home-cooked meals that haven’t changed much since the 1950s – just ask any local where to find the best pie.
8. Lincoln Highway’s Roadside Americana
Before interstate highways homogenized travel, the Lincoln Highway (US-30) created America’s first coast-to-coast road culture. Pennsylvania’s stretch preserves this heritage with quirky attractions that feel frozen in time.
Giant roadside sculptures mark the route through six counties. Vintage diners with neon signs and chrome counters serve breakfast all day.
My grandfather still talks about family trips along this route in the 1940s. The Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Latrobe captures this nostalgic era with exhibits that make you want to hit the road in a classic car.
9. Lancaster Amish Country’s Hidden Backroads
Tourist buses crowd the main routes through Lancaster County, but locals know the quiet farm lanes between towns like Strasburg, Bird-in-Hand, and Intercourse hold the real magic. Red covered bridges span peaceful streams where Amish children fish on summer afternoons.
Family-run farm stands operate on the honor system – just leave your money in the box. The rhythm of horse hooves on pavement becomes the soundtrack to these drives.
Follow PA-340 and PA-772 to start, then let the network of unmarked country roads lead you past whitewashed farmhouses and rolling fields.
10. Bucks County River Road’s Artistic Charm
PA-32 hugs the Delaware River for 40 meandering miles, connecting villages that seem plucked from New England. Locals treat this drive as a weekend ritual rather than a route to somewhere else.
The road passes Washington Crossing Historic Park where history feels tangibly close. New Hope’s artsy shops and cafés make perfect lunch stops.
The canal towpath parallels much of the drive, where mules once pulled boats loaded with coal and goods. Stone houses and inns dating to the 1700s remind drivers they’re traveling through living history.
11. Delaware Water Gap’s Majestic Corridor
The Pennsylvania side of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers a peaceful alternative to New Jersey’s busier shore. Locals cruise PA-209 for easy access to waterfalls, river beaches, and hiking trails without the crowds.
Raymondskill Falls – Pennsylvania’s tallest – requires just a short walk from the parking area. Ancient mountains create a dramatic backdrop as the Delaware River carves its path between states.
I’ve spent countless summer afternoons swimming at hidden river beaches along this route that my parents discovered decades ago.
12. Lake Wallenpaupack’s Shoreline Cruise
The “Big Lake” draws summer crowds to its marinas, but locals know the real pleasure comes from circumnavigating its 52 miles of shoreline by car. PA-507 and US-6 create a loop with constant glimpses of blue water through the trees.
The Observation Dike near Hawley offers the most expansive views across this man-made wonder. Roadside ice cream stands become landmarks for giving directions.
Sunset transforms the lake into a mirror of orange and pink – worth timing your drive for late afternoon when the light makes everything glow.
13. Lehigh Gorge’s Riverside Ramble
The drive connecting Jim Thorpe to White Haven follows the dramatic Lehigh Gorge, where water and rock have battled for millennia. Locals use the access points at Rockport to reach secluded river spots tourists rarely find.
The road occasionally rises to reveal the gorge’s dramatic scale, with the river roaring below after heavy rains. Former railroad beds converted to trails parallel much of the route.
My father taught me to fly fish at quiet pools along this drive, spots he swore held the craftiest trout in Pennsylvania.