Allentown
Located at
Milepost 55.90 North & South
along the Northeast Extension in Lehigh County.
Explore Service Plaza History
Service Plaza Locations
History of all 17 Pennsylvania Turnpike service plazas.
-
-
Blue Mountain
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 202.50 West
in Cumberland County. -
Bowmansville
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 289.90 East
in suburban Lancaster County. -
Cumberland Valley
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 219.10 East
in Cumberland County. -
Hickory Run
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 86.10 North & South
along the Northeast Extension in Carbon County. -
Highspire
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 249.70 East
in Dauphin County. -
King of Prussia
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 328.40 West
in Montgomery County. -
Lawn
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 258.80 West
in Lebanon County just before the Lancaster County line. -
New Stanton
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 77.60 West
in Westmoreland County. -
North Midway
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 147.30 West
in historic Bedford County. -
North Somerset
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 112.30 West
in Somerset County. -
Oakmont Plum
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 49.30 East
in the Allegheny County suburbs. -
Peter J. Camiel
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 304.80 West
in Chester County. -
Sideling Hill
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 172.30 East & West
in Fulton County. -
South Midway
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 147.30 West
in historic Bedford County. -
South Somerset
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 112.30 East
in Somerset County. -
Valley Forge
Located at
View Details →
Milepost 324.50 East
in Chester County.
Detailed Service Plaza Histories
Allentown
Located at Milepost 55.90 North and South along the Northeast Extension in Lehigh County, this bi-directional plaza lies between Kutztown and Bethlehem. It is the last southbound service plaza.
Art Sparks Installation at Allentown
“Valley Wide” is a painted mural depicting points of interest in the Lehigh Valley. It was co-created by students at Emmaus High School and Building 21 High School, with teaching artist, Matt Halm, and art teachers Jim Novak, Melissa Rouston, George Nonnemacher and Katie Pfenninger; the project was administered by ArtsQuest, PCA's Arts in Education partner in the Lehigh Valley.
Back to top ↑Blue Mountain
Located at Milepost 202.50 West in Cumberland County, the service plaza sits just before the PA Turnpike’s famed “double,” or consecutive, Blue Mountain and Kittatinny Tunnels.
Art Sparks Installation at Blue Mountain
“Between the Mountains,” a 12-panel, painted mural highlights meaningful landmarks and traditions from the Shippensburg region. Created by Shippensburg Area High School students and led by teaching artist Katie Trainer and art teacher Aric Sites. PCA's regional Arts in Education partner, Capital Area Intermediate Unit, facilitated the project.
Back to top ↑Bowmansville
Located at Milepost 289.90 East in suburban Lancaster County, the plaza borders its namesake town and is close to entertainment attractions, such as campgrounds, raceways, and within driving distance of several historic covered bridges.
Art Sparks Installation at Bowmansville
“Scenes of Our Neighborhood” is a mosaic combining themes from the southeastern PA Region, including PA Dutch quilts, geometric forms and screen-printed images of local and historic landmarks. It was created by Cocalico High School art students under the direction of teaching artist, Mike Miller, and art teachers Caleb Smith and Sandra McCarthy. The project was facilitated by PCA's regional Arts in Education partner, South Central PaARTners at Millersville University.
Back to top ↑Cumberland Valley
Located at Milepost 219.10 East in Cumberland County, just outside the village of Plainfield, it is situated among sweeping valley farmland and open fields.
Art Sparks Installation at Cumberland Valley
Eight painted quilt designs, mounted inside and outside the plaza, depict the art of barn quilts that are typical of the Cumberland Valley. Created by Big Spring Middle School students, with teaching artist Denise Hoke and teacher Mike McVitty; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Jump Street.
Back to top ↑Hickory Run
Located at Milepost 86.10 North and South along the Northeast Extension in Carbon County, this bi-directional plaza is the last northbound service area. Situated in the dramatic scenery of Upstate PA, the nearby Hawk Falls Bridge carries the PA Turnpike through Hickory Run State Park.
Art Sparks Installation at Hickory Run
“Wool Gardens” is a mural featuring wet felted leaves, flowers and vines, with laser cut wood decorations illustrating points of interest around the Jim Thorpe area in varying seasons. It was created by Panther Valley Junior/Senior High School students, with teaching artist Mallory Zondag and art teacher Kim Burkett; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner Allentown Art Museum.
Back to top ↑Highspire
Located at Milepost 249.70 East in Dauphin County, this service plaza sits along an industrial stretch outside Harrisburg.
Art Sparks Installation at Highspire
“Out and About Here,” is a glass mosaic mural composed of 3x5-foot panels depicting nearby destinations – Hersheypark, the Pennsylvania Capitol, and Harrisburg International Airport. It was created by Steelton-Highspire High School art students, led by local mosaicist, Linda Billet, and their art teacher, Sharon Keeney. PCA Arts in Education partner, Capital Area Intermediate Unit, facilitated the project.
Back to top ↑King of Prussia
Located at Milepost 328.40 West in Montgomery County, the plaza is adjacent to the bustling communities forming suburban Philadelphia. The plaza also serves as Pennsylvania’s westbound welcome center, with a PennDOT-staffed tourism desk.
Art Sparks Installation at King of Prussia
“Gateway to the Main Line” is a mixed media piece featuring 17 individual mosaics, each depicting a historic or community landmark. It was created by Radnor High School students, with teaching artist Bailey Cypress and art teachers Tracey Dean and Erik Barrett; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.
Back to top ↑Lawn
Located at Milepost 258.80 West in Lebanon County just before the Lancaster County line, the plaza is surrounded by farmland and near several state parks.
Art Sparks Installation at Lawn
“Vivid Rejuvenation” consists of two 16x4-foot panels depicting scenes from the Hershey-Harrisburg region. It was created by Lower Dauphin High School students, with teaching artist Meg Caruso and art teacher Dana Attivo; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Jump Street.
Back to top ↑New Stanton
Located at Milepost 77.60 West in Westmoreland County, it is the last plaza westbound before the Ohio line. Surrounded by fields and farmland, it hosts a farmer’s market from April 1 to November 30. It lies 20 miles north of Kecksburg, famous for a reported UFO sighting in 1965.
Art Sparks Installation at New Stanton
“PA COMMONwealth THREADS” composed of six colorful silk pieces, each depicting a topic, including the Palace Theater, St. Clair Park, Western Pennsylvania landscape paintings, golfer Arnold Palmer, local landmarks and a white-tailed deer. Created by Hempfield High School students, teaching artist Susan Novak and teacher Emily Daignault; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, South Central PaARTners at Millersville University.
Back to top ↑North Midway
Located at Milepost 147.30 West in historic Bedford County, home to several significant attractions including Old Bedford Village, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Fort Bedford Museum.
Art Sparks Installation at North Midway
“A Glimpse of Small Down America” is an outdoor, glazed ceramic mosaic, displaying the history and landmarks of Bedford County. It was created by Everett Area High School students, under the direction of teaching artist Bob Zabrosky and art teacher Rebecca Grassi. PCA Arts in Education Partner, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto, facilitated the project.
Back to top ↑North Somerset
Located at Milepost 112.30 West in Somerset County, this bi-directional plaza is situated where the Allegheny Mountains give way to rolling fields. It is also 58 miles from the Flight 93 Memorial and approximately 35 miles from the next service area.
Art Sparks Installation at North Somerset
“Somerset County: Who We Are and Things to Do,” is an intricate, multi-panel painted mural depicting landmarks, history, and traditions of this region of Pennsylvania. The artwork was created by Shanksville-Stonycreek School District students under the direction of teaching artist, Deb Bunnell, and art teacher, Billie Jo Miller. PCA Arts in Education Partner, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art coordinated and managed the project.
Back to top ↑Oakmont Plum
Located at Milepost 49.30 East in the Allegheny County suburbs, it is the first eastbound service plaza after the Ohio line. It is five miles south of the famed Oakmont Country Club, host of numerous golf championships including the U.S. Open.
Art Sparks Installation at Oakmont Plum
“A Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood, 9x21.5-foot mixed media installation created by Riverview Junior/Senior High School students, teaching artist Laura Jean McLaughlin and art teacher Glenn Garrison; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Back to top ↑Peter J. Camiel
Located at Milepost 304.80 West in Chester County, the plaza is named for a former state Senator and PA Turnpike Commissioner who served as board chair. Camiel, a Philadelphia native who died in 1991, was instrumental in several major projects that improved regional roadway access.
Art Sparks Installation at Peter J. Camiel
A multi-panel, glazed ceramic mosaic depicting nearby historic attractions, including Hopewell Furnace National Park, French Creek State Park, the Daniel Boone Homestead and Crow’s News Preserve. It was created by Twin Valley High School students, with teaching artist Jessica Liddell and art teacher Heather McCord; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.
Back to top ↑Sideling Hill
Located at Milepost 172.30 East and West in Fulton County, this bidirectional plaza is situated in the rolling hills between the Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel and Bedford. The plaza also features the Sideling Hill Trailhead [link], connecting this location to more than 600 miles of outdoor recreation trails.
The Old PA Pike Trail (TOPP), located 1.5 miles from the Sideling Hill Trailhead, uses 13 miles of the original PA Turnpike route in Bedford and Fulton counties, including the bypassed Sideling Hill and Rays Hill tunnels.
Users should note that the TOPP Trail is under development, has no amenities, and only limited cell service.
Art Sparks Installation at Sideling Hill
“Our Life. Our Story” features photographic collages taken by Southern Fulton High School art students, with a metal outline of Pennsylvania, fabricated by Fulton County Area Vocational Technical School welding students. It was overseen by teaching artist Dorie Heyer and teachers Carolyn Mottern and Bruce Shipley; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Cultural Alliance of York.
Back to top ↑South Midway
Located at Milepost 147.30 West in historic Bedford County, this building is one of the original PA Turnpike Service Plazas, built in the late 1930s. A historical display is located inside the plaza, featuring memorabilia from the last eight decades.
Art Sparks Installation at South Midway
“Ridge Partnership” is a 4x8-foot glazed ceramic mosaic, depicting local landmarks. QR codes link to videos about each location. It was created by Chestnut Ridge High School art students, under the direction of teaching artist Robert Zabrosky, and high school art teacher Madelyn Kelley. This project was facilitated through PCA's Arts in Education Partner in the region, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
Back to top ↑South Somerset
Located at Milepost 112.30 East in Somerset County, this bi-directional plaza is situated where the Allegheny Mountains give way to rolling fields. It is also 58 miles from the Flight 93 Memorial and approximately 35 miles from the next service area.
Art Sparks Installation at South Somerset
“Creative Colors of the Laurel Highlands,” depicts the Laurel Highlands region through the change of seasons. It was created by Somerset Area High School students, teaching artist Martha Murphy and art teacher Kayla Borosky; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
Back to top ↑Valley Forge
Located at Milepost 324.50 East in Chester County, the plaza is across the highway from the historic Valley Forge National Park. Beyond the tree line are the park's famed Pennsylvania Columns and Unknown Soldier Memorial.
Art Sparks Installation at Valley Forge
“Valley Forge Park - Past & Present” is a glazed ceramic tile mosaic depicting the history, evolution and natural beauty of Valley Forge National Park through the changing seasons. It was created by Archbishop John Carroll High School art students, under the direction of teaching artist, Jessica Gorlin Liddell, and high school art teachers, Loraine Carpenter and Tim Magenta. PCA's Arts in Education Partner, the Philadelphia Arts Education Partnership, facilitated the project.
Back to top ↑