Pennsylvania Route 10 (abbreviated PA 10) is a state highway located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The route runs in a general north‑south direction across the central part of the state, connecting the city of York in the south with the community of Cressona in the north.
Route description
- Southern terminus: Intersection with U.S. Route 30 (Philadelphia Avenue) in the city of York.
- Northern terminus: Intersection with Pennsylvania Route 61 in Cressona, Montgomery County.
- Length: Approximately 132 mi (212 km).
- Counties traversed: York, Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, Perry, Dauphin, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Montgomery.
The highway passes through a mixture of urban, suburban, and rural areas. Notable communities along PA 10 include York, Dillsburg, New Bloomfield, Carlisle, Duncannon, Shamokin, and the outskirts of Harrisburg. The route parallels the Susquehanna River for portions of its northern segment and intersects several major corridors, including Interstate 81, U.S. Route 22, and U.S. Route 15.
Historical overview
- Designation: PA 10 was first assigned in the 1920s as part of Pennsylvania’s original numbered state highway system.
- Original alignment: The initial alignment extended from York to the town of Duncannon, following present‑day roadways that later received state maintenance.
- Extensions and realignments: Throughout the mid‑20th century, the route was extended northward to Cressona and underwent various realignments to improve traffic flow and accommodate new highway constructions, such as the development of I‑81.
- Recent changes: Minor adjustments have been made in the 1990s and 2000s to address safety concerns and to provide better access to adjacent industrial and commercial areas. No major truncations or de‑designations have occurred in recent decades.
Major intersections (selected)
| Milepost | Intersection | Destination(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | US 30 (Philadelphia Ave.) – York | West toward Gettysburg; East toward Lancaster |
| 12.5 | PA 34 – Dillsburg | North to Carlisle; South to York |
| 49.2 | US 15 – Harrisburg/Waynesboro | North to Harrisburg; South to Gettysburg |
| 61.1 | I‑81 (exit 70) – Harrisburg/Chambersburg | North to Harrisburg; South to Hagerstown |
| 84.7 | PA 274 – Duncannon | West toward Carlisle; East toward Middletown |
| 126.3 | PA 61 – Pottsville | North toward Pottsville; South toward Sunbury |
| 132.0 | PA 61 – Cressona | Terminus; continues as local streets in Cressona |
Traffic and usage
PA 10 serves primarily local and regional traffic, providing a connector between smaller towns and larger highway corridors. Traffic volumes vary, with higher counts near the York metropolitan area and lower volumes in the more rural northern sections. The route is two lanes for most of its length, with occasional three‑lane sections where passing lanes are provided.
Maintenance
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is responsible for the maintenance, signage, and resurfacing of PA 10. Routine winter snow removal and seasonal maintenance are performed in accordance with state standards for state‑maintained highways.
Related routes
- PA 462: Parallel east of York, providing an alternative east‑west corridor.
- PA 209: Connects with PA 10 near Duncannon, offering access to the Susquehanna River valley.
References
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Roadway Management System Straight Line Diagrams” (2022).
- “Pennsylvania State Highway Map,” PennDOT (latest edition).
- Historical Highway Association of Pennsylvania publications, “The Evolution of Pennsylvania’s State Routes,” (1998).
This entry presents a factual overview of Pennsylvania Route 10 based on publicly available transportation records and historical sources.
