Scenic Drives On The PA Turnpike: Tunnels, Views and Roadside Wonders

The Pennsylvania Turnpike offers more than just a safe, convenient and reliable way to explore the Keystone State. Along its 565+ miles of roadway, you will find engineering marvels like mountain tunnels and viaducts, scenic interchanges and memorable roadside vantage points, providing a picturesque journey through some of the Commonwealth’s most beautiful landscapes. The PA Turnpike also spans a range of elevations, from its highest point at 2,602 feet in Somerset County to its lowest at 41.5 feet in Bucks County.

The PA Turnpike’s Dramatic Mountain Tunnels

To navigate Pennsylvania’s rugged, mountainous terrain, the PA Turnpike weaves through multiple tunnels, turning an ordinary drive into a casual adventure.

When it opened in 1940, the PA Turnpike used seven tunnels – originally excavated in the 1880s for the unfinished South Pennsylvania Railroad. The PA Turnpike later added the Lehigh Tunnel. As decades passed, and traffic volumes increased, some tunnels were bypassed or abandoned to improve capacity and safety.

• Allegheny Mountain Tunnel
• Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel
• Kittatinny Mountain Tunnel
• Blue Mountain Tunnel
• Lehigh Tunnel

The beauty of the tunnels, though, often lies in what is just beyond them. Due to the elevation and surrounding terrain, the Pennsylvania Turnpike offers breathtaking overlooks and scenic landscapes. 

Take this incredible view approaching the Blue Mountain Tunnel.

The PA Turnpike’s Interchanges Transform an Ordinary Drive Into a Scenic Journey

From the rolling hills and mountain vistas of the Somerset and Donegal interchanges in the Laurel Highlands to the historic charm and farmland surrounding Bedford, each exit offers a glimpse of Pennsylvania’s natural beauty. Along the Northeast Extension, the Lehigh Valley, Pocono, and Mahoning Valley interchanges open the door to forested mountains, river gorges and vibrant seasonal colors.

The PA Turnpike’s Expansive Bridges Span Scenic Valleys

The PA Turnpike features impressive bridges that carry the roadway across rugged terrain, rivers and valleys. These bridges provide sweeping views of Pennsylvania’s natural beauty, especially when the state forests’ fall foliage is on full display.

Some of the PA Turnpike’s notable spans include:

• Lehigh River Bridge. One of the most striking structures along the PA Turnpike’s Northeast Extension (I-476), it carries travelers high above the Lehigh River and Lehigh Gorge State Park, offering breathtaking views of woodland hillsides and deep valleys.
• Hawk Falls Bridge. One of the most iconic structures on the PA Turnpike’s Northeast Extension (I-476) in Carbon County, this bridge spans the dramatic Mud Run gorge within Hickory Run State Park. Completed in the late 1950s, it was originally built as a continuous three-span deck truss bridge, rising to approximately 195 feet above the creek.
• Tuscarora Mountain Viaduct. Tucked among forested ridges, the bridge curves gracefully through the landscape and offers a dramatic moment for motorists traveling eastbound as they exit the darkness of the Tuscarora Tunnel and are launched into daylight above a deep, wooded valley.
• Kittatinny and Blue Mountain Viaducts. Drivers pass through the Kittatinny Tunnel, cross a high viaduct, then almost immediately enter the Blue Mountain Tunnel. The rapid transition from tunnel to bridge and back to tunnel is especially memorable for first-time PA Turnpike travelers.
• Beaver River Bridge. This bridge, also known as the Beaver Valley Bridge, towers nearly 200 feet above the Beaver River in Beaver County, offering drivers sweeping, elevated views of the river valley, steep wooded hillsides and the winding waterway below. 

Scenic Destinations Off the PA Turnpike

The PA Turnpike also connects travelers to a variety of beautiful destinations in every region of the state. Here are some of Pennsylvania’s treasured natural landscapes, historical sites and outdoor recreational destinations that are easily accessed off the PA Turnpike.

Central Pennsylvania Scenic Destinations

• Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Tunnels. Part of the PA Turnpike’s original seven tunnels, Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Tunnels were abandoned in 1968 and are now part of The Old PA Pike (TOPP) Trail, a popular biking and hiking trail east of the Breezewood area. This is a must-see for hikers and bikers.
• Tuscarora State Forest, off Exit 18 (Fort Littleton), features hundreds of square miles of rugged terrain, including steep rises, ravines and mountain creeks. It is the ideal location for hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, trout fishing, camping and winter sports.

South-Central to Eastern Pennsylvania Scenic Destinations

• Hershey, PA, off Exit 247 (Harrisburg East), is the birthplace of the namesake candy bar and home to attractions such as Hersheypark and the Hershey Lodge. But it is also the home of Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical gem featuring lush landscapes, diverse plants and immersive attractions.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, off Exit 298 (Morgantown), features panoramic views of the Appalachians and is a must-see for birdwatchers. The world’s first refuge for birds of prey, it offers more than eight miles of hiking trails for first-hand learning and observation.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Scenic Destinations

• Valley Forge National Historical Park, off Exit 326 (Valley Forge), protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, and monuments commemorating the resolve of the Revolutionary War generation.
• Ridley Creek State Park, off Exit 333 (Norristown), encompasses more than 2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows. The park’s gently rolling terrain, bisected by Ridley Creek, is only 16 miles from center city Philadelphia and is an oasis of open space in a growing urban area.

Northeast Pennsylvania Scenic Destinations

• Hawk Falls, off the Northeast Extension (I-476), is a 25-foot natural waterfall located in Hickory Run State Park. It is accessible via a scenic hike, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail is also known for its beautiful rhododendrons, which bloom in May and June. In 1964, the New York Times used a scenic photo along the Northeast Extension for a travel feature about the Turnpike’s 25th anniversary.
• Hickory Run State Park, also accessible off the Northeast Extension (I-476), lies in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. The park has more than 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas and miles of trout streams. Boulder Field, a striking boulder-strewn area, is a National Natural Landmark. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the PA Turnpike

1. What is the most scenic part of the PA Turnpike?

The Laurel Highlands region near the Donegal and Somerset interchanges is often considered the most scenic, with mountain vistas, state parks, and historic farmland.

2. How many tunnels are on the PA Turnpike today?

There are five active tunnels on the PA Turnpike, including the Allegheny, Tuscarora, Kittatinny, Blue Mountain, and Lehigh tunnels.

3. What is the highest elevation along the PA Turnpike?

The PA Turnpike spans a range of elevations. Its highest point is 2,602 feet above sea level at Milepost 100.2 in Somerset County.

4. What are some must-see destinations near the PA Turnpike?

Fallingwater, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Hershey Gardens, and Valley Forge National Historical Park are all easily accessible from PA Turnpike exits.

5. Are there scenic overlooks on the PA Turnpike?

While the Turnpike itself does not have formal overlooks, many bridges, interchanges, and exit points—like those near Blue Mountain Tunnel and Lehigh River Bridge—offer dramatic views.

Whether you are just passing through or making planned stops at these scenic locations, the PA Turnpike’s panoramic views and unique landscapes deliver a memorable driving experience. 

Want to learn more? Check out the Exit and Explore section of our website.