How to Travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike
- 1). Plan your route. You can only enter and exit the Pennsylvania Turnpike at specific points along there road. There are 42 entrances and exits from the turnpike.
- 2). Gather travel information ahead of time. Local radio and television news reports include this advice. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission provides travelers with an interactive map and travel condition updates on its website.
- 3). Prepare for your trip. Use the bathroom and refuel your car if you are planning a long trip. There are 17 travel plazas spaced along the turnpike, providing food, gas and refreshments.
- 4). Collect your toll ticket when you enter the turnpike and put it in a safe, easily accessible place. Travelers who lose their ticket may be assessed the maximum toll possible.
- 5). Drive safely. Use defensive driving tactics when possible. Watch for hazards such as construction, stopped vehicles and accidents.
- 6). Observe the speed limit. Under Pennsylvania law, the speed limit is 65 in non-urban areas and 55 in urban areas. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions drivers that the speed limit drops to 55 in areas of construction, in and around tunnels, toll plazas and on certain stretches of the turnpike from Carlisle to Irwin.
- 7). Watch for variable message signs. These digital signs display messages 24 hours a day and alert travelers to travel hazards pertinent to the road ahead.
- 8). Tune your radio to 1640 AM. This is the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Highway Advisory Radio System. The radio advisory system gives travelers a way to access up-to-the-minute information on delays, accidents, construction, detours and inclement weather.
- 9). Know what to do in an emergency. Travelers with cell phones can dial *11 or 1-800-332-3380 for emergency assistance. Travelers with CB radios can access the Turnpike Commission's Emergency channel on channel 9. To obtain faster help, give the dispatcher your location by noting the direction you are traveling and nearest mile marker. Mile markers are located every tenth of a mile on the shoulder of the turnpike.
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Choose the right toll booth when exiting the turnpike. Some toll booths are designated cash-only while others serve the automated payment system called EZPass. Some toll booths accept both forms of payment. - 11
Reduce speed when approaching toll plazas. Toll plazas can become congested due to the amount of people coming and going or confusion over choosing the right toll booth. Reducing your speed can prevent costly accidents. - 12
Pay your toll to exit the turnpike. The amount due is variable based on your entrance point and the number of miles traveled. The amount is stated on the back of the toll ticket.
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