You’ll find the US state of Pennsylvania - also known as either the ‘Keystone State’ or the ‘Quaker State’ - in the northeast of the country. If you hire a car in Pennsylvania you’ll find it’s a mix of big cities, like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and the state capital Harrisburg, and wild forests and mountains. The Appalachian Mountains run through the heart of Pennsylvania. It doesn’t reach the sea at any point but has a short coast on Lake Erie in the northwest and along the Delaware River in the southeast.
You find it easier to explore the state of Pennsylvania if you hire a car. You’ll be able to drive from the family fun of the Hersheypark theme park to see the iconic Liberty Bell symbol of American independence in Philadelphia, or the acclaimed Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. While you’re in Pittsburgh, look out for the quirky Andy Warhol Museum and the trendy Mount Washington area of restaurants that offer great views. Other popular Pennsylvania visitor attractions include the Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield and historic Valley Forge camp from the American Revolutionary War against Britain.
Driving in Pennsylvania shouldn’t be very different to driving in the rest on America. You’ll drive on the right, of course, and dial 911 in case of an emergency. It’s worth noting a few special local variations to driving laws though - back seat passengers aren’t legally required to wear seatbelts and if you’re over 18 you can ride in the load bay of a pick-up truck traveling under 35mph. Texting or wearing headphones is prohibited while driving and you must stop if you meet a school bus that is displaying flashing lights while picking up or dropping children and headlights must be used when the wipers are in use or in a construction zone.
