Pennsylvania
Driving Directions to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania sits between New York to the north, New Jersey and Delaware to the east, Maryland and West Virginia to the south, and Ohio to the west. Its location in the middle of the East Coast puts it within a few hours of New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia at once. The capital is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania's population stands at 13,059,432 as of July 1, 2025, per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Getting Into Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 95 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Washington D.C., both connected by I-95. The drive from New York runs 1.5 to 2 hours. From D.C., plan for 2.5 hours outside rush hour. Philadelphia International Airport is directly off I-95 at Exit 10.
Directions to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Address: Liberty Bell Center, 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. From I-95, take Exit 22 for I-676 toward Independence Hall, keep right to Callowhill Street, go straight to 6th Street, and then turn left. Best parking option is the Independence Visitor Center Parking Garage at 14 S. 6th Street, an underground garage directly below the visitor center. Walk up to street level, cross 6th Street, and the Liberty Bell Center entrance is right there. No timed tickets are needed for the Liberty Bell, but a security check is required.
Directions to Philadelphia Museum of Art
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130. The Rocky Statue is at the base of the front steps near Kelly Drive, free to visit any time. From I-76 eastbound, exit at Spring Garden Street and follow Benjamin Franklin Parkway northwest. Museum parking is on the south side of the building.
Directions to Gettysburg National Military Park
Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325. From the north or south, follow US-15 to Gettysburg and watch for signs to the Museum and Visitor Center. From the east or west, take US-30 into Gettysburg, turn south on Baltimore Street, and follow signs. Distance from major cities: Philadelphia 140 miles, Baltimore 59 miles, Washington D.C. 79 miles, Pittsburgh 182 miles, and Harrisburg 38 miles. The battlefield is large, so plan at least half a day on-site.
Directions to Hersheypark
Address: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033. From Philadelphia, take I-76 west to I-283 north, about 95 miles and 1.5 hours without traffic. From New York City, follow I-78 west through New Jersey into Pennsylvania and connect to I-283 north near Harrisburg. Harrisburg is only 15 miles from Hershey, making it a convenient base if you plan to visit both Hersheypark and Gettysburg on the same trip.
Getting Into Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 305 miles west of Philadelphia via I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Budget 5 hours from Philadelphia. From Cleveland or Columbus, take I-76 east or I-70 east, around 2 to 2.5 hours either way. Downtown Pittsburgh sits at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, visible from most approaches into the city.
Rush hours in Philadelphia are worst on I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway section of I-76 between 7 and 9 AM and 4 and 7 PM weekdays. That stretch earned its local nickname "the Surekill" honestly. Build extra time into any route through it regardless of what Google Maps estimates.