Primary route
I-76 (PA-NJ)
Ohio Turnpike to Camden
Length436 mi
Designated1957
States3
Junctions7
About I-76 (PA-NJ)
Also known as Schuylkill Expressway.
From Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90) to Camden, NJ (I-676/US 30)
Interstate 76 in the East is a route running about 435 miles from the Ohio Turnpike near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border east across Pennsylvania to Camden, New Jersey. It follows the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline for much of its length, then leaves the turnpike near Valley Forge to run into Philadelphia on the Schuylkill Expressway before crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey. This is the eastern of two separate Interstates that share the number 76.
The western portion crosses the mountains and ridges of Pennsylvania as part of the tolled Pennsylvania Turnpike, passing through tunnels and long grades between the Ohio line and the Philadelphia region. Near Valley Forge the route splits from the turnpike, which continues as Interstate 276, and follows the Schuylkill River into central Philadelphia along the often-congested Schuylkill Expressway. It then crosses the Delaware River to its eastern end at Camden, New Jersey.
The corridor combines a long-distance tolled mountain crossing with one of the most heavily traveled urban expressways in the Northeast. The Philadelphia section carries dense commuter traffic along a narrow river valley, while the turnpike section serves long-distance travel across the state. The two halves give the route a sharply different character from west to east.
State-by-state mileage
| State | Miles |
|---|---|
| Ohio | 82.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 350.8 |
| New Jersey | 3.1 |
| Total | 436 |
History
The eastern Interstate 76 was designated as part of the 1957 Interstate system, applied to the existing Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Schuylkill Expressway. In 1972 AASHTO approved a swap of alignments between Interstate 76 and Interstate 676 in the Philadelphia and Camden area, settling the present numbering through the city.
Major cities and places
PhiladelphiaCamden
Notable features
- Pennsylvania Turnpike
- Schuylkill Expressway
- Schuylkill River valley
Did you know
- The eastern of two separate Interstates numbered 76.
- Follows the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline before entering Philadelphia.
- Runs into Philadelphia on the Schuylkill Expressway after leaving the turnpike at Valley Forge.
- A 1972 alignment swap with I-676 set the present numbering near Philadelphia and Camden.
- Ends at Camden, New Jersey, after crossing the Delaware River.