Pennsylvania Route 501

PA 501 northbound past PA 722 in Neffsville

PA 501 begins at an intersection with US 222/PA 272 in the community of Glen Moore in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, north of the city of Lancaster. From here, the route heads north on Lititz Pike, a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane, with the southbound direction running concurrent with southbound US 222. The road passes through business areas and runs to the east of a residential neighborhood before reaching an interchange with the US 30 freeway, where the road is a four-lane divided highway. At this point, the concurrency with southbound US 222 ends and PA 501 continues north as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane. The route heads through suburban residential areas with some businesses, passing through Overlook and Brooklawn. Farther north, the road narrows to two lanes. In the community of Neffsville, PA 501 intersects PA 722, with that route turning north for a concurrency before it splits to the east on East Oregon Road. Past this, PA 501 passes near more suburban residential and commercial development, gaining a center left-turn lane again. The road becomes two lanes again and runs between farm fields to the west and the Lancaster Airport to the east before it crosses into Warwick Township.[2][3]

The route widens into a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and passes between businesses to the west and farmland to the east. The road narrows to three lanes and passes through the residential community of Kissel Hill before it enters commercial areas. PA 501 continues into the borough of Lititz and becomes South Broad Street, running past more businesses before becoming lined with homes. The route continues north and loses the center turn lane before it heads into the commercial downtown and intersects PA 772. At this point, PA 772 turns north for a concurrency with PA 501 before it splits east along East Main Street. PA 501 becomes North Broad Street and crosses Norfolk Southern's Lititz Secondary, heading out of the downtown area and passing through residential neighborhoods. The route leaves Lititz for Warwick Township again and becomes Furnace Hills Pike, running past commercial establishments as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane. The road narrows to two lanes and runs near residential neighborhoods before it crosses into Elizabeth Township, heading northeast through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes. PA 501 winds north through more rural land and comes to a junction with US 322 (28th Division Highway) in the community of Brickerville. The route passes through more farmland and woods and comes to a bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), at which point it heads into forested areas. The road traverses South Mountain and curves to the northwest.[2][3]

PA 501 crosses into Heidelberg Township in Lebanon County and becomes Stiegel Pike, continuing north through forests with some farms and homes and passing through the community of Waldeck. The route heads northeast before it turns to the northwest and enters the agricultural Lebanon Valley in the southeastern portion of Lebanon County, which is home to an Amish community. The road heads north and bypasses the community of Schaefferstown to the west, coming to an intersection with PA 419/PA 897. PA 501 continues north through farmland with occasional homes, passing through the community of Reistville. The route enters Jackson Township and becomes South College Street as it continues through rural areas. Farther north, the road passes near a few commercial establishments and comes to a bridge under Norfolk Southern's Harrisburg Line, at which point it enters the borough of Myerstown. PA 501 passes industrial buildings before it crosses Tulpehocken Creek and continues north into residential areas. At the intersection with Main Avenue, the route becomes North College Street and passes more homes before it reaches an intersection with US 422 in a business area. Past this intersection, the road passes homes and leaves Myerstown for Jackson Township again. The route heads north through a mix of farmland and woodland with a few residences.[2][4]

PA 501 enters Tulpehocken Township in Berks County and becomes Lancaster Avenue, heading northeast through farmland with some commercial development before it passes through the residential community of Mount Aetna. The road curves north and passes through farmland, crossing Little Swatara Creek into Bethel Township. The route heads through agricultural areas with some homes and makes a sharp curve to the east. PA 501 turns north to remain along Lancaster Avenue, with Rehrersburg Road continuing east, and runs through more rural land. The road enters the community of Bethel and becomes lined with homes before it intersects Old Route 22 in the center of the community. At this point, the route turns west and remains along Lancaster Avenue, curving to the north into business areas as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and reaching an interchange with I-78/US 22. Past this interchange, PA 501 narrows to two lanes and heads through farmland, turning northwest as it passes to the east of a warehouse. The road continues through a mix of farms and trees with some homes, heading to the north. The route runs through agricultural land before it enters forested areas and begins to ascend Blue Mountain. PA 501 turns west as it continues to climb the mountain.[2][5] At the summit, the route crosses the Appalachian Trail and enters Pine Grove Township in Schuylkill County, where it becomes Bethel Road and descends the mountain. The route turns north at the base of Blue Mountain and runs through a mix of farms and woods with a few homes. PA 501 crosses Lower Little Swatara Creek and reaches its northern terminus at an intersection with PA 895 in the community of Marstown, located southeast of the borough of Pine Grove.[2][6]