Pennsylvania road trip: Centralia to Ohiopyle State Park

Explore Pennsylvania's most distinctive landmarks across 6,631 km, from the abandoned ghost town of Centralia and historic Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia to natural wonders like Pine Creek Gorge, Ricketts Glen State Park, and Presque Isle State Park. The route connects cultural sites including Gettysburg National Military Park, the Cathedral of Learning, and the iconic Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh.

Distance
6631.6 km
Mode
route
Start
Welcome to Pennsylvania
End
Reading Pagoda
Stops
34
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Pennsylvania — Northeastern state blending Revolutionary history, industrial heritage, and natural landscapes across diverse regions from Appalachian mountains to Delaware River valleys.
  2. Centralia — Abandoned town with a smoldering underground coal mine fire
  3. Eastern State Penitentiary — World's first true penitentiary with towering gray stone walls
  4. Herr House — 18th-century stone residence showcasing Pennsylvania Dutch architectural traditions and rural life during early American colonial settlement.
  5. Duquesne Incline — Historic incline railway with observation deck overlooking Golden Triangle
  6. Pine Creek Gorge — Known as Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania with Pine Creek winding through canyon floor
  7. Horseshoe Curve — Sharp horseshoe-shaped railroad curve cutting through Allegheny Mountains
  8. Ohiopyle State Park — State park with waterfalls and river scenery where Youghiogheny and Allegheny rivers converge
  9. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site — Iron furnace established 1771 by Mark Bird; later became Underground Railroad stop
  10. Hopewell Furnace — Iron furnace established 1771 by Mark Bird; later became Underground Railroad stop
  11. Trough Creek State Park — Scenic gorge featuring dramatic cliff formations, hiking trails, and a clear creek offering outdoor recreation in central Pennsylvania wilderness.
  12. Raystown Lake — Pennsylvania's largest man-made reservoir providing boating, fishing, and water recreation amid forested shorelines and rolling hills.
  13. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — Victorian-era glasshouse and gardens in Pittsburgh displaying exotic plants, seasonal exhibitions, and innovative sustainable horticultural design.
  14. Ricketts Glen State Park — Park featuring Kitchen Creek with consecutive waterfalls and Falls Trail
  15. Cathedral of Learning — Massive Gothic tower on University of Pittsburgh campus
  16. Bushkill Falls — Waterfall in Pocono Mountains region
  17. Gettysburg College — Historic liberal arts institution adjacent to the pivotal Civil War battlefield, serving as educational and cultural landmark.
  18. Presque Isle State Park — Lake Erie peninsula featuring sandy beaches, wetlands, and diverse ecosystems supporting migratory birds and summer recreation near Erie.
  19. Jim Thorpe — Former coal mining town nestled in mountain valley, now a charming destination known for outdoor adventure sports and Victorian architecture.
  20. Gettysburg National Military Park — Battle of Gettysburg site including Cemetery Hill
  21. Lancaster County — Agricultural region famous for Amish communities, farmland heritage, and traditional plain living showcasing unique religious and cultural practices.
  22. Allegheny National Forest — Vast woodland ecosystem in northwestern Pennsylvania offering hiking, fishing, and scenic drives through hardwood forests and stream valleys.
  23. Bucks County — Delaware River valley region combining colonial history, picturesque small towns, and rural farmland with artistic and literary heritage.
  24. Chester County — Southeastern region featuring rolling farmland, historic estates, and affluent communities within the broader Philadelphia metropolitan area.
  25. Pocono Mountains
  26. Valley Forge — Historic Revolutionary War encampment site and national park commemorating Washington's army and American independence struggle.
  27. Independence Hall — Historic landmark in Philadelphia where Declaration of Independence was signed
  28. Schuylkill River — Major waterway flowing through southeastern Pennsylvania, historically vital for industry and now a recreational corridor through Philadelphia.
  29. Roberto Clemente Bridge — Iconic Pittsburgh bridge honoring baseball legend, featuring distinctive yellow color and design connecting city neighborhoods over the Allegheny River.
  30. Point State Park — Historic park at confluence of rivers in Pittsburgh
  31. Cucumber Falls — Waterfall in forest pouring white water
  32. Fallingwater — World-famous legendary Frank Lloyd Wright house
  33. Strasburg Rail Road — Oldest continuously operating railroad in North America traversing Amish countryside
  34. Reading Pagoda — Historic pagoda donated to Reading in 1911

Useful for your trip

Avoid
Centralia's famous Graffiti Highway was covered with soil in 2020 by the landowner, ending the legend. The road is no longer accessible for visiting.
Tip
Eastern State Penitentiary offers audio tours through individual cells. The prison closed in 1971 and now operates as a historic museum.
Timing
Visit Herr House in autumn during the Maze and Snits Festival to see a full recreation of old Pennsylvania Dutch lifestyle with demonstrations.
Transport
Duquesne Incline features red cable cars that climb nearly vertically up the hillside. Two original wooden cars from 1877 still operate as counterweights.
Tip
Pine Creek Gorge is known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Visitors can kayak downstream, cycle along old wooden rail trails, or camp along the creek's edge.
Transport
Horseshoe Curve observation deck is accessible by funicular or hiking. Freight trains pass by every half hour; best viewed in autumn when forests turn gold and orange.
Tip
Strasburg Railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in North America. The 45-minute journey traverses Amish countryside; the largest U.S. railroad museum is located directly across.
Timing
Visit Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on Mother's Day to watch traditional sheep shearing demonstrations.
Tip
At Trough Creek State Park, visitors can cross a suspension bridge to view a small waterfall hidden within forests and see the precariously balanced rock formation.
Tip
Raystown Lake offers boating, hiking through dense forests, challenging trout fishing, and a cycling route around the lake shore stretching over 10 km.
Tip
Phipps Conservatory spans 6 hectares with 14 interconnected glass houses. The tropical forest display stands nearly 20m high with waterfalls. The building generates all its own electricity.
Timing
Visit Ohiopyle State Park in autumn when the entire valley glows with gold and orange colors. Deep in the forest, Cucumber Falls pours water like a delicate veil.

Video on this route

Pennsylvania: Is This America's Most Charming State? | 4K Travel Documentary

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