Take a scenic ride through the ridges of western Maryland as we follow Interstate 68, known locally as the National Freeway, from Hancock to the West Virginia state line. This 80-mile stretch offers a captivating blend of mountain engineering marvels, small-town Americana, and natural beauty as we traverse the backbone of the Allegheny Mountains, hugging the Maryland panhandle from its eastern gateway near Hancock to its departure west into the Mountain State.
We begin our westward journey where Interstate 68 splits off from Interstate 70 in Hancock, Maryland. Here, I-70 turns northward to Pennsylvania, while I-68 boldly charges west, immediately confronting the formidable Sideling Hill. In just a few miles, we encounter one of the most dramatic highway cuts in the eastern United States: the Sideling Hill Cut. This striking manmade pass slices directly through 340 million years of rock, revealing vibrant stratified layers that tell stories of ancient seas and shifting continents. A well-maintained rest area and the Sideling Hill Welcome Center offer travelers a front-row seat to this geological wonder. From here, the highway winds through gentle valleys and climbs moderate ridges, serving as a modern counterpart to the historic National Road (U.S. Route 40), remnants of which parallel our route to the south.
Continuing west, we approach the city of Cumberland, nestled in a narrow valley along the Potomac River. As we descend into Cumberland, we merge briefly with U.S. Highway 220 and cross the Cumberland Thruway, a vital artery that splits downtown from its residential hillsides. Cumberland, once a bustling transportation hub of railroads and canal boats, retains much of its historical charm, with landmarks like the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and Canal Place Heritage Area visible from the elevated freeway. Exiting the urban cluster, the highway resumes its dance with the Allegheny ridges, crossing Evitts Creek and rapidly gaining elevation once more as we ascend into more remote stretches of western Maryland.
Beyond Cumberland, the landscape shifts into higher plateaus and rolling highlands. Our next significant waypoint is Frostburg, home to Frostburg State University, where the freeway skirts the town’s northern edge. A brief detour here rewards travelers with classic small-town main streets and mountain vistas. West of Frostburg, the highway climbs Big Savage Mountain, one of the last major ascents on this route, before leveling out towards Grantsville. Grantsville serves as a crossroads of history, near the famed Casselman River Bridge, an 1813 stone arch bridge from the National Road era. Modern travelers, however, stay on I-68, encountering the interchange with U.S. Highway 219, providing access northward towards Deep Creek Lake and the Pennsylvania border.
Our final leg of this Maryland journey unfolds along the windswept ridges approaching Keysers Ridge. This area, often blanketed in snow during winter months, features the last high-elevation summit before the freeway’s descent toward the state line. A few isolated truck stops and lodging establishments at Keysers Ridge cater to weary travelers preparing to tackle or recover from the Appalachian climbs. From here, it’s a gradual glide downhill, with the wooded Appalachian highlands framing the route until the green-and-white sign welcomes us to West Virginia. Crossing the border, the roadway continues west as Interstate 68, eventually descending into the Cheat River Valley and onward toward Morgantown.
Traveling I-68 across western Maryland is more than just a route—it’s a lesson in American geography, history, and culture. From dramatic geological formations to echoes of pioneer paths, this drive links the historic National Road with the modern interstate system, providing a memorable passage through one of the most picturesque, often overlooked corners of the Mid-Atlantic.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments