Depending on your route, you can cross the state of Pennsylvania in under three hours. Considering how far some people are willing to drive for the best deal on the perfect car, it’s not that surprising that talking to car buyers revealed that a surprising number of them considered road trips to multiple Pennsylvania auto dealers to be a major component of their car buying process.
And why wouldn’t they? According to CRS Automotive, 57% of shoppers that spend more than 10 hours doing online research visit four or more dealerships. And over one-third of them would be willing to travel more than 60 miles to find that perfect fit.
According to Sara Welch, Senior VP of Consumer Marketing at CarGurus, “Dedicating research time and using online resources can take the guesswork out car shopping and position a shopper to find their perfect deal, even if it means traveling farther to get it. It’s interesting yet unsurprising that shoppers that invest significant time in research are also willing to travel farther to get the car they want.”
Plus, there’s plenty to take in when driving across the Keystone State. So, in the interest of those car buyers who don’t just tolerate the drive but want to make the most out of it, we’ve worked up our list of our favorite Pennsylvania areas to drive through – with our top picks for dealerships in those areas.
Doylestown
Nestled in the southeast corner of the state sits scenic Doylestown, former home of playwright/lyricists Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim, and (more recently) the birthplace of entertainer P!nk. Doylestown was also the home of iconic ceramicist and archeologist Henry Chapman Mercer and counts three of his elaborate structures (The Mercer Museum, The Spruance Library, and Mercer’s Castle Font Hill) among it’s most celebrated landmarks.
Our Top Pick
Keystone Volvo Cars of Doylestown
Located: 235 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901
New Hope
Boasting the charming, intimate feel of a riverside community, New Hope attracts enthusiastic tourists, shoppers and fashionistas, foodies and fine dining enthusiasts, as well as entertainment connoisseurs. But beyond the obvious attractions, you can rest assured that you’ll find the must-see historical spots one would expect of any bicentennial American town.
Our Top Pick
6528 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA 18938
Jim Thorpe
The Victorian town named after Native American athlete Jim Thorpe isn’t just one of the most popular places to visit in Pennsylvania; in fact, it commonly ranks among national favorites for getaway locations. Amidst the breathtaking vistas of Lehigh Gorge, Jim Thorpe mirrors the tone of Pennsylvania by blending historical significance with vibrant culture and a welcome dose of romance. A favorite of wine lovers, there are no shortage of destinations worth sampling.
Just make sure to pace yourself, hydrate, and get a good night’s rest before you visit any of the dealerships near there.
Our Top Pick
While not in Jim Thorpe, in the nearby town of Leighton, you’ll find Leighton Ford.
54 Blakeslee Boulevard East, Lehighton, PA 18235
Indiana
While Indiana, PA, may not rank among the state’s most magnetic cities, it always holds a special part in our hearts this time of year. Why? Because it was the birthplace of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart, star of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life. That distinction has inspired a five-week holiday festival that has gone on for Saturday afternoons over the last twenty years. To learn more, click here.
Our Top Pick
349 North 4th Street, Indiana, PA 15701
Erie
Erie is distinguished as being Pennsylvania’s only Great Lake’s port city. It’s an amazing location to experience a different side of the Keystone State, one that feels uniquely coastal during warmer months and iconic during the winter and holiday season. And while it may not currently be the ideal time of year to visit Waldameer Park and Water World, that might be a reason to visit Eerie for anyone planning to car shop come spring.
Our Top Pick
2104 State St, Erie PA 16503
Bushkill
Bushkill is home to the aptly-named Bushkill Falls, a series of eight breathtaking waterfalls within the woods of the Pocono Mountains. Ranking among the most scenic natural locations in all of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is often referred to as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania.”
Our Top Pick
1741 Paradise Trail, Rte 447 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Allentown
Truth be told, December is the ideal time to visit one of our picks for the highlights of Allentown. The 29-acre Lehigh Valley Zoo is a favorite, allowing us to observe 300 animals from 125 different specials. But during the holidays, it plays host to the Winter Light Spectacular. The animals may not be on display during this time, but the festive holiday fun sure is!
Our Top Pick
2350 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103
Strasburg
When many think of Lancaster Country, what comes to mind is a return to simplicity, with the area tied intimately to our cultural perception of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Featuring Amish communities, beloved tourist locations like the Strasburg Rail Road and Ed’s Buggy Rides, it’s easy to see why. But there’s far more to Strasburg than simply the sensation of time travel. There’s family fun to be had at the Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, as well as fun educational opportunities at the National Toy Train Museum and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
Our Top Pick
106 W Main Street, Strasburg, PA 17579
Lancaster
Which, of course, brings us to the city of Lancaster itself. Scenic Lancaster is known for celebrating the holidays with countless seasonal delights, from festive lighting to the dining and shopping opportunities available at Kitchen Kettle Village. Throw in the exhalation of winter zip-lining at Refreshing Mountain Retreat & Adventure Center, and you won’t be disappointed.
Our Top Pick
1482 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Gettysburg
Battlefields. Monuments. Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Little Round Top. While its role as host to a turning point in the American Civil War is a solemn one, Gettysburg is simply a beautiful part of our state to travel through. That said, the beauty comes with the weight of significance. From Sachs Bridge to the Eisenhower National Historic Site, there are countless breathtaking displays of our rich history that are deserving of both recognition and exploration.
Our Top Pick
55 Expedition Trail, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Philadelphia
What can one say about Philadelphia that hasn’t already been expressed countless times before? As one of the cities most intrinsically linked to our nation’s history, Philadelphia will forever be one of the nation’s premier educational tourist locations. From Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell, to that Benjamin Franklin Museum, there is plenty to experience in our historic district. But Philly has so much more to offer in terms of culinary and cultural delights. In fact, there’s so much to do that you might just want to visit this site and peruse the options for yourself.
visitphilly.com
Our Top Pick
2001 Byberry Road, Northeast Philadelphia, PA 19116
So There You Go…
Make an afternoon of it. Make a day of it. Heck, make a weekend of it. Who says you can’t be productive while having a little bit of fun at the same time? And if you happen to find the perfect fit for the unique demands of your lifestyle and budget, well, you’ll probably be glad that you took the road you took, whether or not it was the one less (or more) traveled.
