Pennsylvania Highway of Heroes

By Paula Green

With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to explore Pennsylvania’s scenic landscapes. If you’re seeking a new adventure close to home, plan a trip along the Highway of Heroes. Along the way, you’ll discover sites rich with history and remarkable stories.

U.S. Route 30, known as the Lincoln Highway, stretches 350 miles as the Pennsylvania Highway of Heroes. Travelers wind through rolling hills and historic towns, stepping into stories of courage, sacrifice, and leadership at every turn, from Revolutionary battlefields to 9/11 memorials. Launched in March for America’s 250th anniversary, the trail welcomes visitors through March 2027.

Running from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, the trail spans through the state’s farmlands, forests, and vibrant towns. Start your adventure in Philadelphia at Independence National Historic Park, often called “America’s most historic square mile.” This 55-acre haven is packed with Revolutionary-era landmarks, such as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. You can also explore the Liberty Bell and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.

Next, go northwest to King of Prussia to visit Valley Forge National Historical Park, where the Continental Army led by George Washington endured a pivotal winter. The park features restored buildings and log camp structures. From memorials to interactive museums, you’ll find places inviting reflection and engagement.

Continue along the route and plan a stop at Gettysburg National Military Park. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to 3, remains an iconic turning point in the war. President Abraham Lincoln’s renowned “Gettysburg Address” was inspired here.

Adjacent to the Gettysburg battlefield, visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site. This stop honors the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his wife, Mamie. Their serene white farmhouse was more than a retreat; it served as a discreet meeting place for world leaders. Prior to his presidency in 1952, Eisenhower already held the rank of five-star General of the Army.

Heading farther west along the Highway of Heroes, you'll come to Shanksville’s Flight 93 National Memorial, a moving stop that commemorates the 40 passengers and crew who fought back during the September 11 attacks in 2001. The free, year-round memorial welcomes reflection at the visitor center, the solemn Wall of Names, and the striking 93-foot Tower of Voices.

As your adventure draws you back to Pittsburgh, stop at the Fort Pitt Museum. It serves as a gateway to the early American frontier. Here, you’ll learn about Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the French and Indian War and American Revolution. You’ll also discover how Pittsburgh came to be.

If you are unable to visit all six sites, the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum in Latrobe is a nice substitute. The nostalgic tour walks folks through rooms filled with vintage memorabilia, travel posters, antique cars, and roadside signs, each piece telling the story of America’s first coast-to-coast road and the adventurous spirit that crossed the nation’s heartland. 

Start planning your journey now. Let Pennsylvania’s Highway of Heroes reveal history at every stop, an invitation to dream, discover, and remember our heroes.

Sources: www.pahighway.com/the-route.html, www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm www.gettysburgfoundation.org/news/2026/pennsylvania-highway-of-heroes, 

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