Indiana to Baltimore, I-70 or I-68/I-70?

[Laz]

I am traveling from Indiana to Baltimore in a few weeks. I go on one internet site and it says take I-70 into Washington PA, then I-79 to I-68, then I-68 back to I-70. Another Internet site says take I-70 all the way. They say that both routes take about the same time. Does anyone have a recommendation?

 

[PlutoPony]

We drive I-70/I-79/I-68 route several times a year, just did it a month ago in fact. It's been years since we took I-70 straight and at that time found the PA portion (turnpike, etc) to be a pretty stressful drive - very heavily traveled, lots of truck traffic, and quite a bit of construction that slowed things down. It may be a different drive today however. I-68 runs thru the "mountains" and you get up around 3000 feet at one point - it's really pretty in western MD. The steeper uphill grades have a third lane added for the trucks so you can usually make good time on 68 - and truck traffic isn't nearly as thick as on I-70. The roads (I-68 and 79) are not heavily traveled and in very good condition. I think I-70 might be quicker (if traffic was moving well and no construction) but it could also take a lot longer for the same reasons! Hope this helps!

 

[Poohnatic]

Take the route with I68. Less truck traffic, more scenic. The view out my back windows used to be the 'cut' in Sideling Hill, on I68 at around mile marker 75.

Another benefit is that you don't have the tolls.

Yes, it does take the same amount of time, or about 15 minutes difference at the worst.

Suzanne

 

[Laz]

Thanks. I am coming from Fort Wayne area and figure it is going to take me about 9-91/2 hours.

 

[Galahad]

Take the route with I68. Less truck traffic, more scenic. The view out my back windows used to be the 'cut' in Sideling Hill, on I68 at around mile marker 75.

Another benefit is that you don't have the tolls.

Yes, it does take the same amount of time, or about 15 minutes difference at the worst.

Suzanne

Definitely take I68!

 

[tkd lisa]

I've done this many, many times. We moved to Southern MD from Central IN in the mid-90s, and lived there until last fall.

Definitely Definitely Definitely avoid the PA turnpike! The toll is about $10, and there's always construction and truck traffic! 68 is a much more scenic route.

And I have to warn you that you're probably being optomist on the time it will take you unless you have a very heavy foot. Leaving from Indpls, I've never done it in less than 10 hours, and it will take you at least an hour to get down to I-70. When we did it as a family (usually included a Cracker Barrel stop), our average was 12-13 hours.

 

[PlutoPony]

Take the route with I68. Less truck traffic, more scenic. The view out my back windows used to be the 'cut' in Sideling Hill, on I68 at around mile marker 75.

You live in a beautiful area! DS loves the Sideling area, even asks me to wake him up before we go thru it. Some time we'll actually take the time to stop there and check out the view and exhibits.

 

[Poohnatic]

Pluto,

Sold that house a long time ago, but I loved living there. Job told me only way to promotion was on the eastern part of the state.

It was really nice walking across the street and picking Winesaps from the unworked orchard. The view was fantastic-the snow, not so much!

Suzanne

 

[PlutoPony]

Pluto,

Sold that house a long time ago, but I loved living there. Job told me only way to promotion was on the eastern part of the state.Suzanne

Yeah - I can imagine....pretty rural area, beautiful fields and barns, looks like good quality farm land but can see where jobs might be an issue! Maybe in your next life....
Beth