Jimthetravelinman

I am planning on a road trip to Lancaster, PA and I would like to know the best possible quickest way to get to this area from CT. I have looked at my road map and I find that there isn't a direct route to this area. Any suggestions?

boom_boom

The most direct route looks to be I-84 to Scranton and then I-81 to exit 30 and then Penn 72 to Lancaster.

island_breeze

Route 72 is very congested driving.
A more direct route would be:
Tappan Zee Bridge
287 West NY thruway
287 S
78 W toward Allentown,
stop to visit the Crayola Factory great for kids,
222 S through country Dutch towns around Reading to Lancaster.
Between Reading and Lancaster 222 turns into a divided highway with passing lanes.
Should take about 5 hours from Hartford.
Have fun, island_breeze

pal440fcv

Living in Harrisburg (about 30 miles northwest of Lancaster) and traveling to New England on many occasions, the shortest route (although not the most scenic), is the one suggested by "island breeze".

I would avoid Routes I-84 and I-81 in February, unless you have a very clear weather forecast. These roads can become very treacherous in winter weather and have more than their share of ice, snow and fog - and many times all at once -- both run atop the mountains, not down in the warmer valleys.

cheapbutnice2

Fram a Lancaster resident, use Island Breeze's directions.

maribethp

What about hooking up with the PA turnpike.?

LN

To use the PA turnpike you would still have to cross over the mountain at Mountaintop. If it's snowing in the area it can be treacherous on I-81 or on the northeast turnpike.

The turnpike is NOT being maintained as well as it used to be either and does need repair.

maribethp

IN the Lancaster area, the turnpike is fine, except for the poor rest stop facilities.I have traveled to King of Prussia with no concerns and there have been improvements made to the northeast extension recently.