Question 1

Why is the Pennsylvania Turnpike famous?

Accepted Answer

The PA Turnpike was the first of its kind and received nationwide acclaim as an engineering marvel. It was touted as America’s First Superhighway when it opened and was the national standard for superhighway design and engineering. Today, the PA Turnpike continues its legacy of innovation in the ground transportation industry and embraces modern-day technologies for faster response times, increased traffic flow, and safer trips for drivers.

Question 2

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

Accepted Answer

The PA Turnpike officially opened for business on October 1, 1940, and spanned 160 miles from Carlisle to Irwin. Planners originally predicted that 1.3 million vehicles would use the PA Turnpike each year, but they underestimated. A total of 2.4 million vehicles traveled it annually. Today, there are 550,000 daily travelers.

Check out this interactive timeline for more facts.

Question 3

What role has the Pennsylvania Turnpike played in historical events or significant economic developments?

Accepted Answer

When it opened, the PA Turnpike not only paved the way for our nation’s Interstate Highway System, but also for the future of Pennsylvania. Once the PA Turnpike was constructed, towns and cities grew around the superhighway, creating economic development opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Today, the PA Turnpike has nearly 70 interchanges, which have brought an economic boom to many small towns and cities in Pennsylvania, which motorists now have greater access to visit. The State Route 29 Interchange, which opened in 2012, sparked significant economic growth in Chester County. The interchange increased accessibility to the area prompting Endo International Pharma to relocate to Malvern and enabling other large real estate investments and commercial growth. The Southern Beltway, which opened in June 2022, has increased access to sites developed along the Energy Commerce & Innovation Corridor near Pittsburgh International Airport, which includes 52 miles of largely untapped private, commercial and industrial lands. The Southern Beltway is one of several infrastructure enhancements in that area including the completion of Shell Polymers Monaca, a major petrochemical plant with 600 employees, and the $1.57 billion Terminal Modernization Project at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Question 4

What scenic routes can I enjoy along the turnpike?

Accepted Answer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is known for its breathtaking views of the Commonwealth. One fan favorite is “Pyramid Point,” which can be found traveling westbound just east of Fort Littleton, Pa. It is a stunning site during all seasons. The PA Turnpike offers drivers unique views to create picture-perfect memories. Plan some scenic stops along your next trip by visiting the Exit and Explore section of our website.

Question 5

Are there any unique architectural features on the turnpike?

Accepted Answer

The PA Turnpike is home to many unique designs that adhere to rigid engineering standards. The bridges on the PA Turnpike are engineering marvels. From concrete segmental to steel girders, the 1,160 bridges across the system are invaluable structures tasked with carrying the weight of thousands of vehicles over many years through all weather conditions. The Susquehanna River Bridge, for example, was the first segmental bridge design in Pennsylvania when it opened in 2007. In addition, the Allegheny River Bridge features a pair of twin 2,350’ cast-in-place concrete segmental bridges, another first in Pennsylvania.

Question 6

How is the Pennsylvania Turnpike a leader in transportation?

Accepted Answer

Since opening in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has established itself as a leader in transportation with many initiatives becoming national standards. Some examples include:

Became the first toll road to offer service plazas and now proudly has 17 across the Commonwealth.
Developed the Sonic Nap Alert Pattern (SNAP), which is also known as rumble strips. These were an innovative road safety feature when originally designed and have helped prevent accidents caused by driver inattention or fatigue.
The PA Turnpike has been a leader with its Durable Pavement Markings program, which improves worker safety and the quality of construction projects.

The PA Turnpike has received industry recognition for its commitment to safety and sustainability, including multiple Toll Excellence Awards from the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association.

Question 7

What is the difference between a turnpike and a highway?

Accepted Answer

A highway is a public road that anyone can use. A turnpike is a limited access toll road that drivers must pay a fee to use. Toll roads are financed by travelers who choose to use the road. These toll dollars go towards maintenance, construction and other operating costs.

Question 8

What are the benefits of using the Pennsylvania Turnpike over alternative routes?

Accepted Answer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike makes exploring Pennsylvania safe, convenient and reliable. With 560+ miles of limited access roadway, drivers can travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike obstacle-free from New Jersey to Ohio, with an extension through the Northeast, and Southwest portions of the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Turnpike provides a 24/7, system-wide roadside assistance program plus a dedicated State Police Troop. In addition, the Pennsylvania Turnpike offers 17 service plazas that are open 24 hours a day. They each offer fuel, restrooms, food options and other amenities to make travel comfortable and convenient.

A dedicated Maintenance force staged throughout our 550 plus miles of roadway; ensuring our roadway is free of snow and trash; roadway surfaces are free of objects and defects and safety infrastructure such as guiderail is maintained.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike’s total reconstruction program widens the roadway from two to three lanes in each direction, increases shoulder and median width to support safety, quick clearance time and access, and smooths curves for a gentler ride.

Question 9

How does the Pennsylvania Turnpike ensure safety for travelers?

Accepted Answer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is committed to making travel safer for our customers and empowering them to stay informed.

24/7 Assistance: Anyone with a cellular phone traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike can dial *11 or call 1-800-332-3880 for roadway assistance. This includes reporting crashes or other roadway incidents and emergencies along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Traffic Engineering and Operations: The Pennsylvania Turnpike maintains a 24/7, 365 days a year Traffic Operations Center. It serves as the hub of all communications and continuously monitors Pennsylvania Turnpike activities via an extensive radio system.
GEICO Safety Patrol: The GEICO Safety Patrol includes a fleet of dedicated Pennsylvania Turnpike personnel who report to the scene, provide traffic control and can request first responder services for drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We also partner with 511PA to help keep travelers safe. 511PA is a statewide travel information service that provides reliable traffic, construction, weather, and transit information to travelers.

Question 10

How does the Pennsylvania Turnpike contribute to local communities?

Accepted Answer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike takes “Responsibility Matters,” one of its five core values, very seriously and is working to build an organization-wide culture of sustainability where all decisions consider its economic, environmental and social impact. As part of that, the PA Turnpike has a variety of initiatives that support local communities.

Human Tracking Awareness Campaign: The Pennsylvania Turnpike created a comprehensive campaign in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police and YWCA Greater Harrisburg to raise awareness of victims being forced into labor or sexual exploitation. The campaign educates Pennsylvania Turnpike employees and our 500,000 daily customers about the signs of human trafficking and what drivers can do to help bring victims home safely.
Giving Garden: The Pennsylvania Turnpike planted a garden outside of the Central Administration Building near Middletown and donates the entire harvest to local food pantries.
The Art Sparks Program: The Pennsylvania Turnpike has partnered with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to bring its Arts in Education program to service plazas. The program provides Pennsylvania students with the opportunity to produce and display their artwork in service plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike also actively supports a variety of community fundraisers, including touch-a-truck events, St. Jude's Recycled Card Program, the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and the YMCA Harrisburg Mile.

Question 11

Is the Pennsylvania Turnpike the most expensive in the world?

Accepted Answer

No, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is not the most expensive toll road in America or the world. Our rates are 20% below average and are in the mid-range for U.S. tolling entities. While there have been surveys falsely claiming the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the most expensive in the world, those surveys do not follow industry measures and metrics, make unlike comparisons using unrealistic routes and ignore system variables including one-way bridge tolls and size or scope of tolling facilities. Research and thorough data analysis of toll rates per-mile rates across the United States show that the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s toll rates are in the middle range when compared to other toll roads, bridges and tunnels in the United States. See the chart below for more details.

Question 12

What do customers think of traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike?

Accepted Answer

Surveys of Pennsylvania Turnpike customers show tremendous satisfaction with their travel experience:

80% of users say the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a convenient way to travel.
60% of users say the Pennsylvania Turnpike is well maintained.
A majority of active users reported that the most recent time they traveled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, they chose it over another available route.

Question 13

Can you recommend any must-visit stops along the Pennsylvania Turnpike?

Accepted Answer

There are an array of attractions, local eateries, parks and historical sites along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Plan where you will stop along your next trip by visiting the Exit and Explore section of our website.

Question 14

What amenities are available at Pennsylvania Turnpike service plazas?

Accepted Answer

There are 17 Service Plazas located along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. These easy-on, easy-off plazas are open 24 hours a day and offer fuel, restrooms, a variety of food options, and other amenities to make travel comfortable and efficient. In addition to the traditional amenities, the PA Turnpike offers two unique programs at its service plazas:

Farmers Markets: April 1- November 30, we offer seasonal Farmer's Markets at the New Stanton Service Plaza. Purchase locally grown fresh produce and quality foods from an array of vendors seven days a week.
Art Sparks Program: We partner with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) to bring its Arts in Education program to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Art Sparks Program supports bringing artist residencies to educational, community, and institutional settings. As a result of this partnership, the Pennsylvania Turnpike installs local, student-produced art pieces in every service plaza system-wide once the final art piece is complete.

Question 15

What are the environmental initiatives taken by the Pennsylvania Turnpike?

Accepted Answer

The PA Turnpike is committed to creating an organization-wide culture of sustainability where all decisions take into account our economic, environmental and social impact. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is the first and only state agency to achieve a 100% score from the GreenGov Council. We also aim to become America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040. Key sustainability initiatives include:

Installed our first solar microgrid – a tolling industry first –in New Stanton, Westmoreland County.
Continuing to lay a 550-mile fiber optic broadband network.
Installed 63 EV chargers at eight service plazas to help meet customers’ demand for electric vehicles.
Planted six pollinator habitats across the Pennsylvania Turnpike system, with more in development.

Visit our Sustainability page to learn more about our efforts.

Question 16

How has technology improved the Pennsylvania Turnpike experience?

Accepted Answer

The PA Turnpike continues its legacy of innovation in the ground-transportation industry and embraces modern-day technologies for faster response times, increased traffic flow, and safer trips for drivers. As part of our modernization efforts, the PA Turnpike launched All-Electronic Tolling in 2020. In addition, we are currently laying a 550-mile fiber optic network to support Open Road Tolling, a cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or toll booths, which will begin in the eastern part of the state in 2025, and be used systemwide by 2027.

Question 17

How is the Pennsylvania Turnpike being improved for future travel?

Accepted Answer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike has been a leader in transportation from the day we opened. Modernization and innovation are the foundation of our decision-making. Our mission is to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. The transition to Open Road Tolling, which begins in 2025, is the culmination of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s journey to modernize operations and meet customer expectations for seamless, non-stop travel. In addition, as part of our commitment to becoming America’s First Sustainable Superhighway by 2040, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will continue to lower our carbon footprint, build a sustainable and restorative roadway and support renewable energy and infrastructure development in Pennsylvania.

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What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

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About Us FAQs

GeneralAbout Us FAQs

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

History &Exploration

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

Travel Amenities &Resources

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

Sustainability &Responsibility

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

Innovation &Economic Development

What are some interesting facts about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's history?

More Resources

News

Resource Library

General
About Us FAQs

History &
Exploration

Travel Amenities &
Resources

Sustainability &
Responsibility

Innovation &
Economic Development