Abington, PA to Saint Marys, PA is 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a route that is mostly surface roads, so plan for a more leisurely pace than a pure highway trip. With a single recommended stop, this trip is very manageable for a day drive, offering a straightforward path between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
139.1 miles from Abington, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.5 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
5.3 mi
5m
Susquehanna Road
3.1 mi
7m
Old York Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abington, PA and Saint Marys, PA.
1
Start on this road
19 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Keith Road
85 ft·5 sec·Keith Road
3
Turn left onto PA 611
0.5 mi·1 min·Old York Road
4
Turn right onto Susquehanna Road
3.1 mi·7 min·Susquehanna Road
5
Turn left onto Virginia Drive
0.2 mi·26 sec·Virginia Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP Toll West: Valley Forge
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
5.3 mi·5 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
14
Merge onto I 80
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
18
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
19
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
20
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
21
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
22
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
23
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
102 ft·1 sec·Railroad Street
24
Arrive at destination
PA 120; PA 255
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire trip. The recommended single stop is well-placed to break up the drive, but since it's a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move onto the surface roads where stations might be less frequent. The Keystone Shortway is your main highway for a substantial portion, so plan your transition off it accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.1 miles from Abington, PA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Marys, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abington, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Abington, PA
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Abington, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 165.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 84.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 276 Toll West, PATP Toll West: Valley Forge
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP Toll West: Valley...
7
9.5 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
5
9.7 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 North: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
5
10 mi into trip|~16m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.36 one way
$88.72 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$49.09
$98.18
premium
$4.81
$52.66
$105.32
diesel
$4.80
$52.53
$105.06
Estimated Tolls: $10.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(79.5 mi)$10.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.21
$13.35
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.34
$11.13
EV Truck/SUV
111.3
1
$38.95
$17.80
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Abington, PA
Late night
in Abington on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Saint Marys, PA
Late night
in Saint Marys on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Smoke
S 3 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 9.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway share of 29%, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest stretch on a highway is 165.5 miles along the Keystone Shortway, after which you'll transition to more local routes. Expect a profile that is mostly surface roads, offering a more rural cruising experience for much of the drive. You'll notice the change as you exit the main highway arteries and navigate through communities.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 278.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,662 ft259 ft
Total Climb
3,170 ft
Total Descent
1,851 ft
Highest Point
1,662 ft
~278.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,403 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Abington, PA and Saint Marys, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Penfield.
St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Sitting near the center of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, St. Marys provides a great jumping-off point for visits to the area's parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.34 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Marys, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Marys, PA before the return drive.
