As a lifelong resident of (Southeastern) Pennsylvania, and at 53 years old, for the first time in my life I took a trip in March 2025 to visit the Rays Hill tunnel portion of the Pennsylvania Abandoned Turnpike. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a few years, especially in 2024 (but the opportunity to do so never presented itself).
“Join me” on my trip:
I won’t get into the history of the turnpike, as you can find plenty of information about that elsewhere. This post is specifically designed to help anyone looking to visit the abandoned turnpike, as it was a bit confusing for me at first.
It is not illegal to visit the PA Abandoned Turnpike. Visiting is “at your own risk”.
Approximate GPS coordinates for the access point, which leads to trail parking on the road leading to the west end portal of the Rays Hill tunnel: 39.999963, -78.228059
Directions from Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76:
Travelling on the modern PA Turnpike I-76, you will take Exit 161 for Breezewood as seen in the westbound photo below:
Below are a few Google Map images of the parking access point with notations that I’ve added:
Street level image showing the parking access point:
Driving up the incline and the official sign for trail parking:
Part of the abandoned turnpike which has been turned into available parking space:
Cement barricades blocking vehicles from driving any further on the abandoned turnpike. Walk through these to access the road leading to the west end portal of Rays Hill Tunnel:
A few images of the road leading towards the west end portal of the Rays Hill tunnel:
View of the west end portal of Rays Hill tunnel:
View of the east end portal of Rays Hill tunnel:
