8 hours is too long to drive straight. Any recommendatons for a good place to stop for a while?

I think you'll be on the Turnpike. What do you have in mind? It isn't a difficult drive.

What time of year? Stop in Pittsburgh?

Your midway stop is in Somerset, PA. Lots of good restaurants there too.

The Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville is in the vicinity of Somerset, although a bit of a way off of the Turnpike. It is worth seeing, if you can spare some time.

thank you all - I'll definitely try Somerset or Shanksville.

Bedford is a small town right off the turnpike 3.5-4 hours from Phila. It's one of the prettiest towns in this part of the state. The center of town has some fine colonial-era homes and a courthouse.

Mark Bittman liked the Bedford Tavern at 224 East Pitt St.(but we ate there recently and didn't like it much--not bad, just not as good as we thought it would be). The Omni Bedford Springs Resort has several restaurants which friends we trust have recommended.

If you plan to visit Shanksville coming from Phila., they recommend exiting the Turnpike at Bedford and making your way up to US30. After Shanksville you can continue from there to Somerset to get back on the Turnpike. No need to backtrack.