A long while ago, for nearly 10 years, I used to travel once a year from Columbus (OH) to Washington D.C. / Maryland (a distance of over 400 miles) to visit friends and family, around the Holiday season. So, the route and its landmarks got imprinted in my memory. Basically, I would take I-70 eastward, crossing into Pennsylvania just before Pittsburgh, and then, at New Stanton, I-76 would merge with I-70 to form the PA Turnpike. The Turnpike runs lengthwise across PA, between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. I would get off the Turnpike at Breezewood, a most curious (and very congested) motorist-service oriented town, marked by a large Rest Area (and Truck Stop). My passenger car would be dwarfed and (unnervingly) surrounded by gigantic 18-Wheelers sauntering around (with likely hungry Truckers on board...🙂...) ...There, at Breezewood, I would part company with I-76 (with a touch of regret...🙂...), and then head southeast on I-70 towards Hagerstown, across the PA/MD states line, to be finally on the homestretch to Washington D.C.

Though PA is known for the Allegheny Mountain Range, it is located further east, so what I recall most, from this roadway segment in PA, are the picturesque rolling-hills and meadows (see e.g., shots #6, #7), contributing to a most enjoyable driving experience, especially when the landscape is bristling with the vibrant Fall colors.

For my post, here, I have created a FlightPlan from Pittsburgh International (KPITT) to Hagerstown Regional (KHGR), over a distance of ~175 miles, with (enroute) waypoints inserted for (New Stanton, Somerset, and Breezewood). As I've turned south from Pittsburgh, I first overfly the New Stanton Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (shot #4). My next waypoint, the town of Somerset, is of (historical) significance, because of the ill-fated Flight 93, that was forced down into the Pennsylvania meadows ~15 miles northeast of this town. During one of my trips, I recall seeing, for the first time, the new landmark, (a highway-sign) on the Turnpike, pointing to the Flight 93 National Memorial, which I had a chance to visit.

Hope you enjoys these (12) pictures, from the sky, symbolically mnemonic of my (bygone) road trips, across (central) Pennsylvania, from Pittsburgh (PA) to Hagerstown (MD). The MSFS (default) scenery indeed does a good job to replicate the general topographic features and the terrain of this region... (though devoid of high mountains...🙂...I've fond memories of travelling on these relatively flat but beautiful lands...) ...

Thanks for viewing.

Nice series. Living here in (eastern) PA I tend to take the rolling hills topography for granted, but you're right: It can be lovely and it's certainly not as flat as Chicagoland. 🙂

17 minutes ago, John F said:

Nice series. Living here in (eastern) PA I tend to take the rolling hills topography for granted, but you're right: It can be lovely and it's certainly not as flat as Chicagoland. 🙂

True...🙂 ...my series of images are in the proximity of your locale... I wish to take this trip one more time someday, albeit now with the extra distance from Chicago...Agree some of these Midwestern states (Ohio included) are flat...you can drive for hours and hours with just cornfields on either side...

Thank you.

Great shots! 🙂 

Yup, fine shots, seems you now organized with MSFS..

cheers 😉

Will, pmplayer, ikbenik: Thanks much, and glad you liked.