Coming from Route 20 NY around Geneva most likely. Have been on RTE14 before but wondering if 15 is faster but not a superhighway? Looking for scenic but timewise riding and not familiar with routes and what looks like a few major highways. Any help appreciated traveling there. Leaving from Mass and wanted to avoid Connecticut and more city like areas. Thank you.

 

Route 15 from the NY border to Williamsport is much like an interstate highway - 4 lanes, speed limit 55-65, maybe 70 in some spots. At Sunbury it merges with Route 11 and drops to 55 as it follows the west side of the Susquehanna River.

A couple of weeks ago, I took Route 11/15 from Wilkes Barre to Route 34S. This is a two lane 45-55 mph road that passes thru a few small towns but bypasses Harrisburg and is a direct route thru Carlisle to Gettysburg. Much preferred over the I-81 alternative. Route 30 runs east-west thru Gettysburg and York is only a 30 mile ride from there.

On the trip back north, you can take either 94N thru York Springs (scenic farmland) or 194N back to Route 11 but there was construction on the 11/15N route that took me thru the middle of Harrisburg and over to the east side of the river. Don't know how long the work will be going on.

 

Hey sbcvulcan, I think you & I have "talked" here in the past. Take a look at this route:


The fastest way is probably 15 all the way, but before Harrisburg, take 322 east, 10 miles to 81 south, 1 or 2 exits back to 15 south. You're gonna hit stoplights on 15 near Harrisburg. Lots of lights & construction on 15 between 322 & 81, and lights on 15, south of 81 for several miles too. I like the route below, in the next paragraph.


14 from Geneva down to Watkins Glen is a real nice ride. At W.G. though, don't take 14 to Elmira --- turn right at the light past Burger King & go up the hill on 414. It comes out in Corning. Get onto 17/86 west for a couple exits, and it runs into 15 south. 15 is 70 mph in PA now down to almost Williamsport, but there's not a lot of traffic. It's an easy ride. Take 15 all the way down to Selinsgrove, but instead of taking the exit toward Harrisburg on 15, go straight, and through Selinsgrove, and turn right onto 35 south. 35 to 322 east, 1 exit to 75 at Port Royal. Straight through the stop sign, and 3 or 4 miles on 75, and turn left onto 74, all the way to Carlisle. (74's a great ride up & down mountains, great scenery, and a few horseshoe curves.) In Carlisle, 34 south to 94 which runs back into 15 south, to G'sburg. Or, you can stay on 74 which also runs back into 15.


15's a pain-in-the-neck down around Harrisburg, with construction & red lights. If you go to Harrisburg, take 322 to 81 south, and then back onto 15. Via 34 & 94, you'll hit 15 again, south of all the construction & lights, and it's a great ride. I think it might be 94 (maybe 34. Not sure.) that has "roller coaster-type" hills. You can't see what's coming til you get to the top. A little scary not knowing what's coming at you, but kinda fun at the same time. I have a brother in Harford County MD, and this 35, 74, 34, 94 is the way I go down. If you think this takes more time than you want to take, you can take 15 again at Selinsgrove, and down around Millersburg you can get 34 to Newport & into Carlisle that way. Or just stay on 15 all the way to 322 & 81 to 15 again. Hope it helps.

 

15 is a beautiful ride from the NY border to Williamsport PA. Well worth keeping than in your plan. Ya its super-slab but it is a nice ride through that area of the Laurel Highlands AND you can still make good time.