Pennsylvania Route 401
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 401 is a short east–west state route in Berks
and Chester
counties, located in southeast Pennsylvania
. The western terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 23
in Caernarvon Township
, across the county line from Elverson
. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 30 in East Whiteland Township
, a short distance west of Malvern
.
The route was paved in 1936 from Pennsylvania Route 29
to U.S. Route 30. This was also when the western terminus was moved from Chester Springs to its present location.
Recent upgrades enlarged and streamlined the eastern terminus at US 30, where PA 401 intersects US 30 at a sharp angle on a steep slope.
in Caernarvon Township
, Berks County
, heading southeast on two-lane undivided Conestoga Road. The route heads into agricultural areas as it crosses into Elverson
, Chester County
, where it runs between farmland to the north and rural areas of woods and homes to the south, crossing PA 82
. After this junction, the road runs between housing developments to the north and rural areas to the south, crossing into West Nantmeal Township
. PA 401 continues into forested areas with some farm fields as it enters East Nantmeal Township
and comes to the PA 345
intersection. At this point, the route continues southeast through more woods before heading into farmland and turning south. The road crosses into forests and turns sharply to the east, entering areas of farms with a few residences. Farther east, PA 401 heads into more wooded areas of homes as it crosses into West Vincent Township
and reaches the PA 100
junction.
The route continues southeast past a mix of farms, woods, and housing developments, briefly crossing into Upper Uwchlan Township
before heading back into West Vincent Township. The road curves south before continuing southeast into West Pikeland Township
and intersecting PA 113
. Pa st this intersection, PA 401 passes through wooded areas of residential development, passing under the Pennsylvania Turnpike
(I-76
). A short distance later, the route comes into Charlestown Township
and passes more forested areas of homes before turning east into East Whiteland Township
. The route passes more housing developments as it widens to four lanes at the Phoenixville Pike intersection and reaches the interchange with the US 202
freeway, where it is briefly a divided highway
. The route narrows back to a two-lane undivided road past this interchange and crosses the Chester Valley Trail before continuing southeast to the eastern terminus at US 30
in commercial areas.
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
and Chester
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
counties, located in southeast Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The western terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23 is a state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. The route begins at Pennsylvania Route 441 in Marietta and heads east to U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia.-Marietta to Valley Forge:...
in Caernarvon Township
Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Caernarvon Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,312 at the 2000 census. It is often referred to as Morgantown, the township's largest village.-History:...
, across the county line from Elverson
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Elverson is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2010 census.Settled near the region's early iron mines, Elverson is close to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, an example of a 19th century "iron plantation".-History:Elverson's earliest...
. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 30 in East Whiteland Township
East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania
East Whiteland Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,650 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, a short distance west of Malvern
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Malvern is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,998 at the 2010 census. The main road through the borough is King Street, although the borough is also bordered by Paoli Pike on the south, and is near US 30 on the north. The primary cross street is Warren...
.
The route was paved in 1936 from Pennsylvania Route 29
Pennsylvania Route 29
Pennsylvania Route 29 is a 118 mile long north–south state highway that runs through most of eastern Pennsylvania. The route currently exists in two segments, a southern segment and a northern segment. The southernmost terminus of the designation is at U.S. Route 30 in Malvern...
to U.S. Route 30. This was also when the western terminus was moved from Chester Springs to its present location.
Recent upgrades enlarged and streamlined the eastern terminus at US 30, where PA 401 intersects US 30 at a sharp angle on a steep slope.
Route description
PA 401 begins at an intersection with PA 23Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23 is a state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. The route begins at Pennsylvania Route 441 in Marietta and heads east to U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia.-Marietta to Valley Forge:...
in Caernarvon Township
Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Caernarvon Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,312 at the 2000 census. It is often referred to as Morgantown, the township's largest village.-History:...
, Berks County
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, heading southeast on two-lane undivided Conestoga Road. The route heads into agricultural areas as it crosses into Elverson
Elverson, Pennsylvania
Elverson is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2010 census.Settled near the region's early iron mines, Elverson is close to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, an example of a 19th century "iron plantation".-History:Elverson's earliest...
, Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, where it runs between farmland to the north and rural areas of woods and homes to the south, crossing PA 82
Pennsylvania Route 82
Pennsylvania Route 82 is a long north–south state highway located in southeast Pennsylvania, USA. The northern terminus is at PA 23 in Elverson...
. After this junction, the road runs between housing developments to the north and rural areas to the south, crossing into West Nantmeal Township
West Nantmeal Township, Pennsylvania
West Nantmeal Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,170 at the 2010 census. It and East Nantmeal Township were originally part of a single Nantmeal Township, which was divided in 1739.-Geography:...
. PA 401 continues into forested areas with some farm fields as it enters East Nantmeal Township
East Nantmeal Township, Pennsylvania
East Nantmeal Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,803 at the 2010 census. It, along with West Nantmeal Township, was originally part of a single Nantmeal Township, which was divided in 1739.-Geography:...
and comes to the PA 345
Pennsylvania Route 345
Pennsylvania Route 345 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route runs from Pennsylvania Route 82 in West Nantmeal Township, Chester County north to U.S. Route 422 in Birdsboro, Berks County.-Route description:...
intersection. At this point, the route continues southeast through more woods before heading into farmland and turning south. The road crosses into forests and turns sharply to the east, entering areas of farms with a few residences. Farther east, PA 401 heads into more wooded areas of homes as it crosses into West Vincent Township
West Vincent Township, Pennsylvania
West Vincent Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,567 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which , or 0.22%, is water...
and reaches the PA 100
Pennsylvania Route 100
Pennsylvania Route 100 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that runs from U.S. Route 202 in West Chester, Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Route 309 in Pleasant Corners, Pennsylvania....
junction.
The route continues southeast past a mix of farms, woods, and housing developments, briefly crossing into Upper Uwchlan Township
Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Uwchlan Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,227 at the 2010 census. The township included the community of Milford Mills before it was inundated by the creation of the Marsh Creek Dam in 1972....
before heading back into West Vincent Township. The road curves south before continuing southeast into West Pikeland Township
West Pikeland Township, Pennsylvania
West Pikeland Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,024 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which , or 0.20%, is water....
and intersecting PA 113
Pennsylvania Route 113
Pennsylvania Route 113 is a long state route in eastern Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 30 Business in Downingtown. Its northern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 611 in Tinicum Township...
. Pa st this intersection, PA 401 passes through wooded areas of residential development, passing under the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
(I-76
Interstate 76 (east)
Interstate 76 is an Interstate Highway in the United States, running 435 miles from an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, east to Interstate 295 near Camden, New Jersey....
). A short distance later, the route comes into Charlestown Township
Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania
Charlestown Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,671 at the 2010 census.Part of the Valley Forge Christian College's campus, formerly the location of the Valley Forge General Hospital, is located in Charlestown Township. The other part is...
and passes more forested areas of homes before turning east into East Whiteland Township
East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania
East Whiteland Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,650 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. The route passes more housing developments as it widens to four lanes at the Phoenixville Pike intersection and reaches the interchange with the US 202
U.S. Route 202 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 202 runs through the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, passing through the northern and western suburbs of Philadelphia. It follows in a general southwest to northeast direction through the state, passing through West Chester, King of Prussia, Norristown,...
freeway, where it is briefly a divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
. The route narrows back to a two-lane undivided road past this interchange and crosses the Chester Valley Trail before continuing southeast to the eastern terminus at US 30
U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 30 runs east–west across the southern part of the state, passing through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on its way from the West Virginia state line east to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey...
in commercial areas.