US Route 30 Pennsylvania

[CmdrDewey]

Can anyone tell me what US 30 is like from Chambersburg to the PA Turnpike?

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Which way are you heading, West?

If going west you have to cross the Tuscarora Mountain. Haven't been that way in ages but I do know it's not the easiest mountain to cross.
Last year we did have a few MOCers travel Rte 30 to Gettysburg for the NE Rally. Hopefully they will jump in with more up to date info.

[richfaa]

There are signs that warn trucks NOT to use that route. There are more than one 8 and 9% grades,straight up,straight down no chance to take a run at them. It is brutal. If you want to see what your truck is made of take the route. We did going the the G.B rally in our shinny new 6.4 L Ford. So did tbhd(dennis)It was a fun run....

[H. John Kohl]

I traveled it to the Fall Rally last year. As stated there are four hills. I have a six speed manual with 373 rear. I also have exhaust brake and it paid for itself. The first three hills from Chambersburg were pulled in 3rd gear and went down in third and the exhaust brake.
The last hill had a sign "NO vehicle over 21000 pounds gross weight" I am at 23000. Oh well no way to turn around. I had to pull that hill in second gear up and use second gear and exhaust brake down.

If you do not have a great secondary breaking system I would recommend taking I 81 south to Haggerstown, MD. and then I 70 west to Hancock, MD where I 70 swings north to Breezewood, PA. where you pick up the PA turnpike west.

Good luck.

[CmdrDewey]

Thanks for the info guys. Yes I am going west on the way to the rally. I didn't like the looks of that road on the map and now I know why. See at least some of you soon. Thanks again.

[richfaa]

"The last hill had a sign "NO vehicle over 21000 pounds gross weight" We are also way over 21K lbs. Oh well..we got this far....At the top of the hill the Xmittion temp on our after market Gage said 195 degrees. There is a convenient pull over at the top.It took awhile for it to cool down.

[sreigle]

Dave, we have towed that route several times, going to and from Gettysburg, including with our current Dodge 6.7L and our prior Fords, both 6.0L like yours. We didn't have any problem. Temperatures on the Fords were pretty warm but not in a danger zone. The Dodge ran quite a bit cooler. Some of the hills are steep but they are not very long. It's a piece of cake compared to some of the grades out west. We like the road and likely will do it again.

I guess I missed that sign Rich mentioned. Next time I'll look for it.

[adelmoll]

We have traveled that road also with our Ford 6.0 without any problems... I thought it was wonderful following in Abe Lincolns footsteps.... We also returned on Hwy 30 all the way through the Chicago area.. The last part was not fun at all... Lots of stop and go and lots of traffic in the Chicago area.

Looking forward to seeing you again.

Helen