Take I-83 North from Baltimore to Harrisburg, PA, then US 322 West from Harrisburg to State College. The only rest stop between Baltimore and State College is the Welcome Center at the Pennsylvania border, where you can get a free map of PA.

At Harrisburg, stay in the right lane after crossing the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), and make a sharp right turn (exit ramp) to merge onto the bridge crossing the Susquehanna River. After passing through downtown Harrisburg, I-83 swings out to the east side of town. I-83 then exits from the left lane and heads north, at which point it joins US 322 West. At the NE corner of Harrisburg, 322 exits from the left lane to briefly join I-81 South, then exits from the right lane after about 3 miles. Stay on US 322 the rest of the way to State College.

You will have interstate all the way to Harrisburg, then limited-access highway most of the way to State College, although there is a two lane section just north of Harrisburg that can be pretty slow during rush hour. Note that US322 is under construction between Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River, and this section can be extremely slow, especially during rush hour. The entire trip should take about 4 hours from the DC area, or about 3 hours from Baltimore.

When you get to State College, stay on US 322, which takes a 4 lane limited-access bypass around State College (i.e., don't exit onto Business 322). After a couple of miles you will go through a curving rock cut. Take the next exit, which is College Avenue (PA highway 26). Turn left onto College Ave, which takes you downtown. The first traffic light in downtown State College is at Garner St. (to the left) and Shortlidge Rd. (on campus, to the right). Turn right, drive 1/2 block up the hill, and park in the garage on the left (metered parking). (Other parking options are also available.) From the parking garage, walk up the hill on Shortlidge to the stop sign, turn left, and walk about two blocks down Pollock St. to Davey Lab (on the right, observatory domes on roof). Take the elevator to the 5th floor. The department office is in the front of the building in room 525 Davey. The X-ray group office is on the 4th floor in the front of the building in room 428 Davey.

You have two choices in getting to State College from Washington. The eastern route takes you to Baltimore, from which you follow the instructions above. This has the potential of hitting a major bottleneck between Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River (Clark's Ferry), where the road is currently under construction (Jan 2000).

The second option is the western route. Although a bit longer, it currently takes no longer than the eastern route, and has less traffic (and therefore less stress). Take I-270 from Washington to I-70. Stay on I-70 all the way to its termination at Breezewood, PA. At Breezewood, turn right at the traffic light, then take a right exit onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). Head west on the turnpike (towards Pittsburgh). Take the next exit (at Bedford, about 30 miles from Breezewood). There is no toll charge. Turn left after exiting the toll booth, and watch for a left turn to I-99. Take I-99 north towards Altoona. Continue past Altoona on I-99 until it ends and dumps you onto US 220. Turn right at the stop light and continue north on US 220. After driving through Port Matilda, exit to the right onto US 322, which takes you to State College.

When you reach the north side of State College, take the Business 322 exit (North Atherton Street). Continue on N. Atherton St. for several miles until you pass the University (campus on your left, golf course on your right). One block past the University, turn left onto Beaver Ave (one way street). Turn left at the 4th stop light onto Pugh Street. One-half block down Pugh Street, turn left into the Pugh Street Parking Garage. On leaving the parking garage, turn left on Pugh Street, walk 1/2 block to College, cross College and continue in the same direction, walking up the hill on the mall to the right of Old Main. The next street you come to is Pollock Rd. Davey Lab is the building across Pollock Rd on your right, with the observatory domes on the roof.

Enter the front door of Davey Lab and take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the department office, which is in the front of the building in room 525 Davey. The X-ray group office is on the 4th floor in the front of the building in room 428 Davey.

Penn State's High Energy Astrophysics group web pages are maintained by Scott Koch.
Last update:  Feb 2, 2000 by DNB