sazcc

Hi guys,

I have found this forum HUGELY helpful over the last few years road tripping in the US.

We are WELL used to long drives and are happy to commute for several hours at a time- in the last few years an 8 hour drive has been no bother to usat all but this year (all being well) we will have a 6 month old baby with us and so are keen to factor in a mid-way stop over- im guessing from google maps this will likely be in Pennsylvania?

The group will be 6 adults, and the baby. We are hiring a minivan so will all be together.

We like window shopping in nice little towns that have craft/ one off shops and a nice restaurant or 2. We are not looking for much in the way of attractions as this will literally be a stop-over.

It would be nice to stay in an economy, fairly cheap- (but clean!!) hotel/motel with a pool close to a town so that we could put the baby in the stroller and dander in, depending on our timings. However we have no confirmed flights yet, so we may be arriving at night and i therefore cannot give times.

Many thanks in advance,
Sarah

bspielman

Not too far south of your presumed route (I-78/I-76) are the "twin" towns of New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Lambertville, New Jersey, perhaps a quarter to a third of the way into your trip. They might suit your criteria for window shopping, one-off shops, and restaurants; and they offer nearby lodgings of all types.

SusieQQ

It depends on the route you are traveling, but if you take the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you might enjoy a stop over in Bedford, PA

www.bedfordcounty.com

SusieQQ

Why isn't there an edit button...it is:

www.visitbedfordcounty.com

I hope that's it...

sazcc

Many thanks for your prompt responses!

I should have mentioned that on a previous road trip we did the "twin towns" and although very much enjoyed them- particularly a riverside meal at The Landing looking over the Delaware river - we are keen to try and put a few more miles in before we stop over.

Any suggestions for somewhere closer to half way into the journey would be very much appreciated- but I thank you for your input/ current suggestions.

Thanks Sarah

sazcc

Ps the half way location is generally more important than shops etc....although a nice place for breakfast would be a big plus!

SusieQQ

Which route are you taking? That is important...since you didn't comment on my Bedford suggestion, I assume not the PA Turnpike...since Bedford seems to be half way...
Route information would help us suggest.

sazcc

SusieQQ my apologies i did not mean to offend- google maps (which coming from UK is really all i have to go on... That and previous similar USA road trips) did not give me the PA turnpike as first option- it is suggesting I95 going on to I80 into ohio?

However i see there is a second option of going along I76 and the PA turnpike which i see passes Bedford and you are right, it looks a good half way point.

I suppose my question is google maps is great but from experience what would people who are familiar with these potential routes preference be? Preference for least hassle and good mid-way stop over.

Many thanks
Sarah

doug_stallings

If you have never been there, Lancaster can also be an interesting place to visit and stay. The difficulty is that it's not exactly on a direct route from JFK to Pittsburgh, and it's not even close to halfway. But it might make for a less exhausting first-day destination since it's only about 3 hours west of Manhattan. The Amish country is interesting, and there are scads of cheap places to stay and eat there as well as outlet malls. But it depends on what you're looking for.

Then you'd still have a very long drive the next day.

SusieQQ

I actually prefer I-60 to the turnpike, but either way will take you through some beautiful mountains.

If you go the I-80 route then a nice overnight stop would be State College, PA which is the home of Pennsylvania State University. It has a lovely campus to stroll and the best Ice Cream you've ever had.

www.visitpennstate.org

SusieQQ

Again, a typo...not I-60....I-80

sazcc

Thanks SusieQQ, I'll check it out! ��

gail

Not your question - but a mini-van is not going to accommodate comfortably 6 adults and a baby in a car seat. When they say "seats 7" - they mean 7 tiny people squished in together. And the car seat is far bigger than a tiny person.

Plus, there is no way there will be room for luggage for that many people. The stroller and baby stuff itself will fill most of the cargo area.

sazcc

Gail - thanks for your words of advice, however i have maybe worded the van terminology wrong as they differ over here in the UK.

We are hiring a 12 seater Ford Clubwagon which i am lead to believe will seat 6 adults, the baby and our luggage quite comfortabley as it states can hold 10 passengers and 10 cases.

gb944

A Clubwagon is not a minivan... It is a very large van, suitable for church outings and moving very large articles. If you haven't driven one before, plan on a very large experience. Keep your speed down, also. These vans are top heavy, and all it takes is a moment's distraction and you will have a bad situation.

sazcc

Thanks again for your comments- my husband is an experienced van (of large sizes) driver and indeed drives one for his buisness. He will be doing all the driving, as in previous USA road trips which we have undertaken.

THe company advises me it is a 10 seater and given that there are 7 of us, plus luggage and stroller, i dont think it seems too large.

thanks