Local Area Info: Pennsylvania Route 53

Pennsylvania Route 53 (PA 53) is an 83-mile-long (134 km) state highway located in central Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 219 (US 219) near the borough of Summerhill. The northern terminus is at PA 144 in the Snow Shoe Township community of Moshannon.

PA 53 begins at an interchange with the US 219 freeway in Croyle Township, Cambria County, heading east-northeast on four-lane divided Railroad Street. The road narrows into a two-lane undivided road as it heads through wooded areas to the south of Norfolk Southern's Pittsburgh Line, crossing the Little Conemaugh River into Summerhill. The route passes homes and a few businesses, heading northeast and crossing the river again before curving east and crossing back into Croyle Township. PA 53 becomes Portage Street and runs through more woodland to the south of the railroad tracks, crossing the Little Conemaugh River twice. The road heads into Summerhill Township and heads across the river again as it passes through farm fields and turns to the north, becoming the border between Summerhill Township to the west and Wilmore to the east. The route heads into wooded areas again and crosses under the Pittsburgh Line, turning northeast to fully enter Wilmore and pass near residences. PA 53 intersects PA 160 and passes homes and businesses before heading back into Summerhill Township. Here, the road runs through wooded areas with a few residences, crossing into Portage Township. The route becomes the border between Portage Township to the north and Portage to the south as it heads into commercial areas, gaining a center left-turn lane. PA 53 intersects PA 164 and forms a short concurrency with that route, fully entering Portage Township before PA 164 splits to the north. The road becomes two lanes again and heads northeast into woods, turning to the southeast as it passes through the residential community of Jamestown. The route heads into woods again and crosses under the Pittsburgh Line, turning north and crossing the former Bens Creek Culvert of the Allegheny Portage Railroad before entering Washington Township. PA 53 winds northeast through more woodland with some homes, passing through Plane Bank before heading into Lilly. Here, the route heads into residential areas, crossing the former Lilly Culvert of the Allegheny Portage Railroad before turning west onto Cleveland Street and then turning north onto Main Street. PA 53 splits northwest onto Evergreen Street and curves to the north, crossing back into Washington Township. The road heads into woodland, curving northeast and continuing into Cresson Township, becoming West 2nd Street. The route widens into a divided highway as it comes to an interchange with the US 22 freeway.

PA 53 heads into residential areas as a two-lane undivided road and crosses into Cresson at the Admiral Peary Highway intersection. Here, the road becomes 2nd Street and passes through commercial areas. The route passes through residential areas before crossing back into Cresson Township and becoming Gallitzin Road, passing through more developed areas. PA 53 turns northeast and heads into Gallitzin Township, passing over the Norfolk Southern line and heading through woods, curving north. The road heads northwest through more forests, crossing a R.J. Corman Railroad line and passing through Syberton. The route winds north-northeast through more rural areas with occasional homes a short distance to the west of the railroad tracks, running through Amsbry. PA 53 continues into Ashville and becomes West Main Street, passing homes as it comes to an intersection with PA 36. At this point, the route turns southeast to join that route on Liberty Street, passing residences and businesses as it crosses the R.J. Corman Railroad line. PA 53 splits from PA 36 by turning northeast onto Clearfield Valley Boulevard, crossing into Dean Township and heading through forested areas with some homes to the southeast of the railroad tracks and Clearfield Creek. The road passes through Dysart before turning north-northeast and running through Tippletown and Dean. The route crosses into Reade Township and becomes Glendale Valley Boulevard, running through more forests with sparse fields and residences and turning northwest through Frugality before heading north again. In Van Ormer, PA 53 intersects the southern terminus of PA 253 and continues north-northwest through more rural areas, passing through Fallen Timber. The road continues northwest through wooded areas with some fields and homes, with the railroad line following the road ending before it heads through Flinton.