Roadtrippin' on a Shoestring; Pennsylvania Offers Savings, Short Roadtrips to Combat Gas Prices

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 19 -- Still itchin' for a roadtrip this summer, but weary of what that might cost at the pump? You don't have to travel far to find a great adventure in Pennsylvania. In fact, there are plenty of undiscovered treasures in your own backyard (or just a short drive).

This summer, VisitPA.com is exposing Pennsylvania's hidden gems, as well as gas-saving tips, special offers and more than 50 itineraries and maps.

Pennsylvania is within a day's drive of nearly half of the U.S. population. The state's new 300-mile and 500-mile roadtrips allow visitors to experience a Pennsylvania getaway on just one tank (or two) of gas. And with more than 363 new travel packages designed for this summer, many of which combine discounted room rates (up to 10 percent) with free gascards, it's affordable, too!

The "Where You Want to Go" trip generator on VisitPA.com allows visitors to enter their starting and ending points and pre-select from 10 travel activities. The results are then plotted with directions on interactive maps to use along the way. Users can also pick lodging and dining options, along with attractions, shopping, nightlife, theatre and more, which are added to the map for a completely customized itinerary.

And remember, not all roadtrips require a road. From 132 rail trail bike paths to 16,000 miles of rivers and streams, Pennsylvania is full of hiking, biking, canoeing and outdoor adventure opportunities.

Aside from the packages on VisitPA.com, many Pennsylvania destinations are offering savings of their own. Kennywood Amusement Park, just outside Pittsburgh, offers a link on its homepage to the lowest gas prices in your neighborhood to entice you to find the best deal before taking your trip to the park. And in the Lehigh Valley, home to the CRAYOLA Factory and The Great Allentown Fair, many lodging properties are offering, what they call, "Pain in the Gas" travel packages.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the state Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to fulfilling the needs and aspirations of travelers by presenting them with the information and resources they need to plan and enjoy the activities, attractions and destinations that are uniquely Pennsylvania. For more information about Pennsylvania's tourism industry, go to http://www.visitpa.com/, or call (800) VISIT PA.