Pay a Bill Toll Calculator Help Center E-ZPass Toll By Plate Traveling Commercial Business Hub PA Turnpike History Home About Us PA Turnpike History An unbroken ribbon of concrete cutting through mountains and across valleys, bypassing towns. No stop signs, no intersections, no need to worry. The PA Turnpike was the first of its kind and received nationwide acclaim as an engineering marvel. It was touted as America’s First Superhighway when it opened on October 1, 1940, and was the national standard for superhighway design and engineering. Today, the PA Turnpike stretches more than 550 miles – triple its original length. It continues its legacy of innovation in the ground-transportation industry and embraces modern-day technologies for faster response times, increased traffic flow, and safer trips for drivers. Interactive Timeline Explore how the PA Turnpike has progressed over the decades. Look into the Past Then & Now Explore the photo gallery to see the past and present of the PA Turnpike side-by-side. See the Difference Exit & Explore Explore the interactive map of PA Turnpike milestones and points of interest. Start Exploring Through Eight Decades 1791-1936: Before there was a PA Turnpike The 1940s The 1950s The 1960s The 1970s The 1980s The 1990s The 2000s The 2010s 2020 and Beyond Memories in Motion A three minute video of PA Turnpike images over the years. Pennsylvania Turnpike, I Love You PA Turnpike Timeline featuring the song “Pennsylvania Turnpike, I Love You,” composed by Vaughn Horton in the late 1970s. America's Dream Highway A brief documentary on the history and construction of the PA Turnpike. About Us Our Mission Our Board of Commissioners Commission Meeting Information Our Executive Leadership Design & Construction PA Turnpike History Investor Relations Resource Library Policies & Standards News Traffic Reports The Road Ahead: Turnpike Newsletter Media Resources Right to Know Request Responsibility Matters Sustainability Clean Water Accountability PA Mobility Partnership Reports National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Contract/PO Search Careers Contact Us Site Map Employee Login ©2021 The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission