U.S. 30. Driving from Philadelphia to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge Route U.S. 30 is the third longest road in the United States. It spans the country from Atlantic City, NJ in the east to Astoria, OR in the west, a distance of 3112 miles (5008 Km). I recently posted a story of U.S. 30 in New Jersey , and for the next three weeks I will explore its journey through Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Route U.S. 30 enters Pennsylvania by crossing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge across the Delaware River. The bridge opened in 1926, and at the time it was the world’s longest suspension bridge. It was the first bridge across the Delaware this far south. Once in Philadelphia the route joins I-676, bypassing Center City, before hopping on the I-95 north. Cherry Street Pier Route 30 exits the interstate at Girard Ave, near the Philadelphia Zoo, and my drive took me through the Overbrook neighborhood, along Girard Ave and then Lancaster Ave. The area is poor, working class. It has seen better days, but it soldiers on. Philede...