Conestoga Road | |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Existed | 1684–present |
| Major junctions | |
| West end | Allegheny Valley |
| East end | Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Highway system | |
Conestoga Road, also called "Conestoga Pike" or "Allegheny Path", is a historic road dating from at least 1684 in what is now the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It starts as Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia to the west through Morgantown, Harrisburg and west towards the Allegheny Valley. Originally the road was a walking path that was 12-18 inches in width. During the era of horse drawn Conestoga wagons, the road was widened. During most of its existence as a turnpike, it served as the alternate route to the Lancaster Pike and Ridge Road (present day Pennsylvania Route 23). The route gained notoriety as the shortest route from Philadelphia to Harrisburg.