Do Route 6
Named by National Geographic as "One of America's most scenic drives", US Route 6 in Pennsylvania is the heart of the American Dream. This magical and tranquil highway along Pennsylvania's northern tier is 400 plus miles of history and heritage, linking small towns, generations of people and wondrous sights often forgotten.
Whether you are planning a weekend motorcycle trip, a week-long family roadtrip, or a month-long RV adventure, why not "D 6"?
Discover a slice of real Americana where apple pie, yellow ribbons, antique stores, museums, parks and trails create a journey unique to everyone who travel it. Let our interactive mapping mile marker system help guide you and make sure to take your time - there's no rushing here
About Route 6 Heritage Corridor
Like a secret passageway that leads into the heart and soul of America, scenic US Route 6 stretches 427 miles across Pennsylvania’s northern tier, through forests and farmland, mountains, river and valleys, connecting communities that prize their heritage and quality of life.
The story of US Route 6 in Pennsylvania is about moving natural resources to market and moving people to new horizons. The highway is still an example of the rural America lifestyle surviving through innovations and commerce.
On January 13, 2005, Governor Edward Rendell named US Route 6 in Pennsylvania as a State Heritage Corridor under the PA Heritage Areas Program of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Known as PA Route 6, the heritage corridor joins 11 other state heritage areas, five of which are also national heritage areas, in celebrating the industries and transportation corridors that helped build this great nation. You can find out more about the other Pennsylvania Heritage Areas at Heritage PA.
PA Heritage Areas – DCNR: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/heritageareas/
Heritage PA - www.heritagepa.com
About Route 6 History
US Route 6 in Pennsylvania enjoys a storied past. The route can be traced back to 1807 when state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains to enable easier travel to the western parts of the state. As the state and nation grew, so too did the road. Carved out of hundreds of miles of wilderness, the road eventually united most of the county seats in Pennsylvania's northern tier. The fledgling highway quickly became a vital link between the industry of the west and the railroads in the east. Along its length sprung up charming villages, plentiful farming communities and thriving towns.
In 1925, Route 6 in Pennsylvania was incorporated into a highway system that would connect the United States from coast to coast. Names US Route 6, the road stretched from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California. It became one of America's first transcontinental highways. Today the road remains one of the longest highways in the nation.
Today, approximately 3.5 million people travel the historic highway through Pennsylvania each year to visit the historic sites, national and state parks, artist studios, and quaint towns that remind us of the true America.
Some important dates:
- 1927: American Association of State Highways Officials extend US Route 6 from Provincetown, MA to Erie, PA
- 1937: American Association of State Highway Officials extended US Route 6 to Long Beach, CA. In 1965, the western terminus was shifted to Bishop, CA.
- 1948: Pennsylvania designates Route 6 as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway (GAR) after an 11-year campaign by the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.
- 1953: All 14 states officially recognize US Route 6 as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
- 1957: Attempts to have Route 6 in PA named part of the Interstate Highway Program fail. To the south of Route 6, I-80 running from Stroudsburg to Sharon was designated. The reason it failed – the interstates ban on commercial business would hurt existing businesses.
- 1985: Route 6 is named by Car & Driver Magazine as one of the top scenic routes in the US.
- 1987: Route 6 is chosen by Harley Davidson as Pennsylvania's Best Touring Route.
- 1994: US Route 6 in Pennsylvania is designated a National Recreational Trail.
- January 13, 2005: Governor Edward Rendell designates Route 6 a Pennsylvania Heritage Area.
- 2015: PA Route 6 celebrates its 10th anniversary as a designated Pennsylvania Heritage Area.