If you’re looking for an epic American adventure on one of the nation’s oldest transcontinental highways, U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania has all the makings of a fantastic road trip. Scenery, history, small-town charm – it’s all here, and a whole lot more.
U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania, known locally as PA Route 6, enjoys a storied past. The route can be traced back to 1807 when state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains for easier travel to the western parts of the state. As the state and nation grew, so did the road. With no interstate system nearby, PA Route 6 became the literal Main Street connecting many small towns across the state’s northern tier.
Today, those small towns and communities are the backbone of PA Route 6 and are at the center of why this is such a great destination for riders. No big-city traffic. No hustle-bustle of too many people crammed into too small of a space. Most of PA Route 6 is two-lane rural road through some of the most scenic parts of Pennsylvania. Here you can relax and enjoy the ride while taking in the charm of small-town America.
There are many ways to explore PA Route 6, starting with a 427-mile cross-state journey. From the east, jump on PA Route 6 near Matamoras in Pike County and head southwest along the Delaware River to Milford. Continue on PA Route 6 to legendary Lake Wallenpaupack in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Farther along the journey, PA Route 6 climbs north into the Endless Mountains and has some spectacular scenic overlooks before heading west to the Allegheny National Forest and finally descending into the rich agricultural lands that make up the Great Lakes Region.
You can also explore one of the motorcycle loops offered by the PA Route 6 Alliance, the state heritage area designated to conserve and protect the historical heritage of PA Route 6. Each loop is intended to be a two- to three-day trip that varies in mileage and showcases some of the best riding through each region across PA Route 6.
The Pocono Mountains Loop (191 miles) offers rails, waterfalls, and lakes galore! Weave your way through communities rich in history, impressive architecture, and distinctive landmarks. Make memories at the Stourbridge Line Excursion Trail, D&H Gravity Railroad Museum, Dorflinger Glass Museum, stunning Shohola Falls, historic Grey Towers, and The Columns Museum. Honor our nation’s veterans at Matamoras’ Veterans Memorial Park before crossing the Delaware River and finishing the loop with a majestic ride through Delaware State Forest.
The Endless Mountains Loop (189 miles) traverses Pennsylvania’s rolling hills, winding rivers, and historical railroads through the Susquehanna River Valley. Refresh and regroup by the waterfalls of Ricketts Glen State Park before a pleasant ride through historic Tunkhannock’s shop-lined streets. Then it’s on to beautiful Lake Winola and the breathtaking Marie Antoinette Overlook. Before heading home, enjoy some fine dining and a good night’s sleep at the historic Wyalusing Hotel.
The Pennsylvania Wilds East Loop (270 miles) is the longest itinerary offered by the PA Route 6 Alliance. Begin in Coudersport with a scenic ride to Austin Dam Memorial Park where you’ll learn the “whole dam story” behind the 1911 flood. After that, cruise down to Sinnemahoning State Park to see elk, and then hit the road through the Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. After a stop at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, view the night sky in a way you’ve never imagined at Cherry Springs International Dark Sky Park.
Beginning and ending in Bradford, the Pennsylvania Wilds West Loop (201 miles) weaves and winds through the Allegheny National Forest. Start with a visit to the Zippo/Case Museum, the Marilyn Horne Museum, or the Penn Brad Oil Museum. Pick up the Historic Pin Trail Map for the 10 locations of collectible pins. Visit the Kinzua Bridge State Park, the home of the towering Kinzua Sky Walk, “one of the top 10 most scenic skywalks in the world.” Then circle around the Longhouse National Scenic Byway for impressive views of the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Dam. In Warren, enjoy a relaxing evening at one of the local distilleries or breweries before circling back to Bradford.
The Pennsylvania Great Lakes Loop (245 miles) begins and ends in Erie, the state’s only Great Lakes port city. Enjoy stunning lake and countryside views between stops to explore the region’s most interesting and unusual gems, including the lighthouse of Presque Isle, the Spillway in Linesville where ducks walk on the fish, PennDOT’s quirky Road Sign Sculpture Garden, and the rural areas that make up Crawford County and Lake Erie’s wine country.
View and download all of these loops and itineraries at PARoute6.com/Motorcycles and request the new 2023 Motorcycle Loop Map and Guide. Then find out why National Geographic called PA Route 6 “One of America’s Most Scenic Drives” and MotorcycleRoads.com rated it in the top 40 for “Best Routes in the U.S.” This isn’t just a road. This is America.
From flat farmlands to rolling mountains to deep forests, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your soul and keeps you coming back for more.