Looking to ride from Sussex Cty, NJ (Branchville) to the Flt 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. Hoping there are a few Riders out there who can suggest a route or 2 out and back. Only requirement, no highways. Lodging suggestions welcome as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice/ideas.

 

Traveled that area a bunch in the cage visiting family in central PA. A quick look at the map shows you might want to consider getting over to 209 and follow that south to 15 then follow 322 west to 533 then 22 to 219 down to Shanksville. Then follow 30 east toward philly and turn north somewhere (not real sure on your time etc) . Looks like that might be a good loop.

No matter how you get there, you will not be disappointed in the memorial. I visited it last fall and it was amazing and very well done.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm 15 minutes from 209 via the Milford, PA bridge. Feel the need to visit the site. This is one of those times where my paper map rules over GPS/NAV. Got the wife talked into the weekend of the 8th. 3 days should get us there and back without rushing.

 

this weekend 6/23-26 is the Johnstown Rally just north of the Flight 93 memorial

 

If you don't want highways then consider route 6 west. About 6 or 8 miles west of Tunkhannock PA, take 87 to Dushore PA, and then head south on 220 to Williamsport. Keep following 220 south to the Mill Hall/Flemington exit (near Lock Haven) and then 64 to State College. Then interstate 99 south. (180 near Williamsport, and interstate 99, and even parts of 220 near Lock Haven are highways, but there's not much traffic, and they're easy rides.) A few miles south of Altoona PA, take 22 west to 219 south. Flight 93 Memorial directions will be clearly marked on 219. While you're there, you should go see Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house.


For the ride back, I'd say 219 north all the way back to 6. Then you could stop in Benezette PA to see if there are any elk out. (I'm guessing you won't see them now. Too hot out.) Then stop at Kinzua Bridge on route 6, and also PA Grand Canyon. You can take 6 almost all the way home then.


Re. lodging, it'll be 300 miles (or less) to Altoona, so just Google something around Altoona or Ebensburg. Some people can ride 500 miles before stopping for the night, and others will do 250. I don't know how you ride. I think Altoona or Ebensburg would be pretty do-able for the 1st day. I think I'd call ahead, but that's just me wanting to have a reservation somewhere. On the 2nd day, up on route 6, in Galeton PA is a place called the Ox Yoke. It's a biker-friendly place owned by bikers, and they have a motel as well as cabins, and a bar & restaurant. I've never stayed there because it's only 20 miles from where I live, but they cook a great burger over there! Also, It's only about 10 miles from the PA Grand Canyon, and it's right on 6, and would be an easy ride to get home from there on your 3rd day.


Hope that was sorta what you're lookin' for.

 

Thanks Geezr. That looks like route we'll take. Kinzua Bridge and the PA Grand Cayon have been on my list for a while. I was dreading 209. It's a long slow ride from Dingmans Ferry to the Millerburgs Ferry (a must do at least once) and Rt 11/15.

As for my riding - it's 857 miles door to door from my house to our son's in NW GA. I just did the trip 2 wks ago. Each way was completed in 13-14hrs, same day. In fact that entire trip of 7 days, I logged 3497 miles. When I'm riding I hate to stop. And yes, next time I'll follow the rules to obtain the Iron Butt.

Appreciate the advice and directions.

 

I live about 20 miles from flight 93 mem. I would run Rt 30 west all the way to the 93 mem. and the maybe head north to pick up a route to head home

 

Thanks Clap. I think we are taking Rt 6 outbound. And looking at some of Rt 30 on the way back, at least until we hit 11/15. Then we'll head north and east. Like to avoid Gettysburg, east. Traffic gets a bit heavy. My daughter went to school in Chambersburg and brother lives in Hanover, so I do get to ride Rt 30 a couple times a year.

Appreciate the suggestions. I'm beginning to think I should take the week off for this ride and enjoy the scenery.