Pennsylvania. What can one say about “The Keystone State.” Nearly 250 years after the nation was founded, Pennsylvania remains a testament to liberty, provided you are able to put high-priced toll roads out of you mind. If you like big cities, you’ll find Philadelphia and its port to the east and Pittsburgh to the west. Likewise, if you and your truck are built of steel, you’ve come to the right place. Steel is always in demand, and it takes a lot of trucks to keep the nation supplied. In between the cities, the Allegheny Mountains make up some of the most beautiful country east of the Mississippi River, and not far west of Philadelphia you’ll find Amish Country. The Amish discovered tourism some years back, and they definitely won’t mind seeing 18-wheelers pulling to the doors of companies selling some of the best hand-made furniture and other products in the world. Be careful, though. More than one big rig has been run off the road by a one-horse carriage.
Geographic Advantages
The “Keystone State” was aptly described as during the American Revolution, control of Pennsylvania meant breaking the colonies or apart or holding them together. Even in the 21st century, Pennsylvania’s status as a keystone remains. Those holding truck driving jobs and bound to or from New York and New England must pass through at least a portion of Pennsylvania to reach their destinations. Likewise, Pennsylvania is home to the petroleum and steel industries — two of the most important in U.S. history.
Bordering State/Countries
Pennsylvania is bordered by numerous states including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Ohio, along with a connection to Lake Erie in its northwestern corner.
Pennsylvania’s Deep-Water Ports
Pennsylvania offers two ports near the Atlantic Ocean and accessible via the Delaware River — Philadelphia and Marcus Hook. Riverports include Pittsburg and Port Erie along the Great Lakes.
Products Moved by Trucks
Whether they are exported out of state, out of the country, or simply remain in the state for use in-state, according to the latest data from World’s Top Exports, the following are the primary products moved by truck drivers and offering truck driving jobs to those calling Pennsylvania home:
- Coal (non-agglomerated, bituminous)
- Miscellaneous medications
- Liquified propane
- Human-use vaccines
- Immunological goods for retail sale
- Aircraft including engines, parts
- Motorcycles (large piston engine)
- Palladium (unwrought or in powder form)
- Large helicopters
- Cell phones
Pennsylvania’s Highways
Pennsylvania has over 250,000 lane miles of roadway offering truck drivers many routes across and throughout the state. Nearly 2,000 miles of these roadways are included in Pennsylvania’s interstate system as follows:
I-70 from Donegal Township, West Virginia to Maryland at Warfordsburg
I-76 from Beaver Township at Ohio border to Philadelphia
I-78 from Union Township to New Jersey border at Williams Township
I-79 between West Virginia border near Perry to Erie
I-80 from Ohio border at Shenango Township to New Jersey at Delaware Water Gap
I-81 from Maryland at Greencastle to New York border near Hallstead
I-83 from Shrewsbury to Harrisburg
I-84 from Dunmore to New York border in Matamoros
I-86 from Greenfield Township to New York border at North East Township
I-90 from Ohio border at Springfield to North East Township
I-95 from Marcus Hook to New Jersey border near Bristol
I-99 from Bedford to Bellafonte
For more information on Pennsylvania and its truck driver jobs, visit: www.pmta.org