Living in New England, just about every way you go to get somewhere else is cutting thru PA. Looking at alternatives to West Virginia that avoid large city highways that go thru Scranton and Harrisburg.

We have looked at 209W starting at Milford onto 274, etc or RTE 80 to 11 to 522 or 80W straight across to 99/220S.I may have heard 99 is a decent road.

Anyone familiar with these roads, conditions? Are they heavy on the tractor trailers? Any recommended routes across PA to WVA

Any help woudl be great.

Thank you

 

I am familiar with both roads and they are both good rides. I think you are going to have more trucks in the scranton area. (11). I like the 80 to 220 South for the scenery and little traffic. Watch for deer and road construction.

 

Depends if you are looking for some really nice rural roads or faster more direct route. A GREAT motorcycle route would be a short stretch of 84 west ( highway but not long ride and not a lot truck traffic) in NY state to route 284 towards Sussex NJ (s/w) -will be about 1-2 miles of local towns where you get on or off 284 buts is a nice road). When you get into Sussex the road T's at Route 23 go right onto 23 n. very soon you'll make a quick left then immediate right to stay with 23 as it turns through Sussex. About a mile or so later go left onto 650/Libertyville Road. Just stay with it, I think the 650 signs remain but the name may change to Deckertown. Not the first stop sign but eventually there is a stop sign at rt 521. Go straight ( slight jog l or r, road doesnt exactly line up) will put you onto the Old Mine Road, built by the dutch in the 1600's. varies from about a 2 lane ( barely) to slightly smaller road) passes through the forest and some small roadside cemeteries from the 1700 period are interesting to explore ( small meaning small) , eventually you'll come to a stop sign at 739 Dingmans Ferry. Now so far I have added 2 hours to your ride vs highway but its worth it if you have time.

You can continue across that intersection and stay old mine road through Worthington State Forest to interstate 80 west then through the delaware water gap into PA, etc. there will be trucks on 80 of course but the stretch through the gap has some nice scenery.( adds 20-25 min)

Alternatively you can make the right from the old mine road at that stop sign onto 739, cross over the last privately owned toll bridge in NJ ( guy stands in road with belt pouch, don't worry, the slats won't fall off the bridge and you can actuall put 2 cars wide on the bridge if your nerves are steel) After the toll rt 739 intersects river road/209 s at the first light. Here again you have choices. If you make the left onto 209 you are about 20 minutes from I80 on the PA side of the gap. Or you could stay straight on 739, cross over 209 and take 739 to Silver Lake Road, which is a left turn about a mile or so down 739 .Silver lake road has a park named Childs Park about a mile in on the left. There are walking paths ( wood decking) along the stream and a small waterfall.). You're only 10 minutes from 209 if you retrace your steps but you can continue on 739 all the way back to 84 West to either ( 380 S back to I80W)OR go N on 380 to 81 S ( Scranton area) back to 80w. Or I could put you on a ton of backroads with curvy rides through farm country all the way out to Williamsport/Jersey Shore Pa areas but that would add another 3+ hours and you might not see more than a handful of cars that route depending on the day of the week)

 

What part of Wv you want to get too?

 

If you are just running through Pa to spend your time in WV 80 to 220 would be an ok route easy interstate roads. 220 is a decent road been a while since I ran that much of route 80 you might want to check penn dots website to see where the construction is. 11&15 south is an ok road but you will hit some small towns with stop and go traffic. Then depending on the time of day the traffic around Harrisburg can be a pain but from there 81 moves along pretty well.

 

i would do 15 south to 30 west to 220 south

 

rt 30 west of chambersburg is very very nice.

 

i will get you into some very nice pa riding email me. foxspizza53@yahoo.com

 

You didn't say what your starting point is.

Get to the Pt. Jervis area (i-84 across NY state is OK, from upstate NY take Rt. 209)

Cross the Delaware take first exit (Rt 209)

Left on 209 to Milford, then to Stroudsburg

Get on i-80 west for a few miles. Stay to the right

Take Rt 33/209 south

Watch for 209 exit, then follow 209 S to Lehighton.

Go over the bridge and watch for 443 going off to left

Follow 443 all the way to the Susquehanna River above Harrisburg. (jct with 22/322)

Go South on 22/322 to i-81

To get around Harrisburg:
Get on i-81 south

At this point you have to decide which general direction you want to continue

1. 1st exit after crossing bridge is Rt.15 S -- towards Gettysburg
or
2. If you're heading in the direction of Hagerstown, you can take either i-81 or Rt. 11.

 

I ride from Sussex to WV every year. There are couple of ways to get to PA 11/15. I suggest PA 11 South to 340 through MD, which will take you to Harpers Ferry. Follow 340 which will keep you east of Skyline Dr. 340 will cross 33. 33 West into WV. WV is one of the most Motorcycle friendly states I have ridden in. All the State Parks have cabins w/H/C running water. Cheaper then a hotel and great back to nature environment. Suggest you ck the WV State Park websites. And History - it's everywhere you look and ride.

Notable - 209S between Milford PA and RT 80 is closed for construction. National Forest - budget cuts - you get the picture.

Enjoy the ride