Recommend a dinner stop not more than five minutes or so off the PA turnpike.

[Metta]

We're traveling from 70 near Washington to Carlisle. Any best bets not more than a couple of minutes off the turnpike? Thanks.

[HopeHoops]

1. 70 hits the turnpike at Breezewood and there are several places to eat right in Breezewood.

When you get to Breezeweed, 70 dumps you off at a goofy intersection where you make a right to get to the turnpike. If you make another IMMEDIATE right, there's a truck stop with pretty good food. Another good one is just up on the left before the turnpike entrance, but that can be hard to get out of to make it onto the turnpike. There are a couple other choices in that cluttered region.

After that, there's not much if anything until you get to Carlisle. It isn't that far a trip and Carlisle has plenty of places to eat.

[PRETZEL]

2. True, it's only a couple of hrs,

but if I remember correctly (I usually don't stop except for gas/bathroom) there's a family owned diner at Breezewood that's not terribly bad.

Truthfully, the rest stops on the turnpike aren't like the old days.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Not like the old days?

True, the little pull-over areas with picnic tables are gone. And the rest stops are not all Howard Johnson (I want one of those hot dogs with the toasted bun!)

I can't recommend anything, though. When I'm driving the PA turnpike, I tend to eat junk food.

:hi:

[HopeHoops]

6. The rest stops are all fast food crap.

The rest ROOMS at the rest stops are much better than "the old days", but there isn't "food" available - at least not in my book.

Where exactly are you coming from? There may be a faster route (I hit the Baltimore/Washington area a lot)

[JVS]

7. Wait, the OP means Washington DC instead of Washington PA? DC to Carlisle isn't on I-70 much

I'm going to have to reconsider my advice.

[HopeHoops]

8. I assumed DC because of the reference to 70. Washington, PA doesn't have a 70.

[JVS]

9. Balls! Washington PA is where I-79 joins I-70

Also, if one goes east on I-70 from Washington PA, it joins with I-76 to form the PA turnpike as mentioned in the OP.

[HopeHoops]

10. Well shit! I didn't know there was another I-70 that close!

Sure as hell, there IS an I-70 in Washington, PA! I knew about 79, but not 70. The only one I knew of was Baltimore to Breezewood.

So, that changes MY advice - Get off in Somerset. There are a bunch of places to eat in Somerset. Right after you get through the toll booth, bang a left down the little alley (first place you can turn). That takes you up to a light with a Duncan Donuts directly ahead of you. There are some things off to the right, but if you turn left there are a lot of places to eat.

[JVS]

11. There is only one I-70, but it overlaps with the PA turnpike (1-76) for most of PA.

Somerset sounds good. They have an Eat'nPark.

[HopeHoops]

12. Yeah, the Eat'n Park would be a right turn at the Duncan Donuts.

Or you could just keep going straight out of the toll booth.

If you ever need to stay in that area, the first hotel on the right out of the toll booth (Days in maybe?) has a KICK ASS indoor swimming pool and a hot tub. They also have a nice bar with two pool tables.

[PRETZEL]

13. King of Prussia to Coraopolis

There is not a faster route unfortunately. But when I'm by myself I can make the trip in 5 1/2 hrs. I don't mind the fast food. Sbarro's or Roy Rodgers is just fine with me.

Getting to and from the turnpike is easy for me on both ends. Sometimes I'll take 70 over to Washington and pick up 79 there, other times I'll go to Cranberry and pick up 79 there. Just depends on my mood at the time. There's really no difference time wise.

[JVS]

3. How fancy do you want it?

[JVS]

5. Ok, I'm assuming that you want a real restaurant. If you want a burger joint, just pick any...

populated rest stop. Find a Big Boys or whatever and go to town. If you want something nice, I suggest that you eat near the laurel highlands, which is a ski-resort area for Pittsburghers. This isn't highway dining, it's dining that is within 5 minutes of the highway.

I've eaten at this place, and it was good. Then again, it was 15 years ago. Do call ahead, their location might have changed a bit, but it's not far from the turnpike


"The Brass Duck. Box 186, Stahlstown, PA 15687 724-593-7440.
The Area's Most Unique Restaurant" fine dining is traditional and innovative. Eclectic menu. Located between Ligonier and Donegal on Rt 711. Open daily 11am to 10pm. Closed Tue. Pittsburgh Magazine's "Readers' Choice Award"."

Here is a list with other possibilities.
http://www.inusa.com/tour/pa/laurel/dining.htm