Ambler, PA to McMurray, PA is 305 miles and takes about 5h 54m via East Butler Avenue, Lindenwold Avenue, and South Bethlehem Pike, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience compared to interstate driving. Given the duration and road type, it's a manageable one-day drive, allowing for a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
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
152.5 miles from Ambler, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
263.9 mi
4h 47m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
Bebout Road
2.9 mi
6m
Monogahela Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Venetia Road
1.5 mi
3m
South Bethlehem Pike
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 263.9 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ambler, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on South Ridge Avenue
33 ft·6 sec·South Ridge Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Butler Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Butler Avenue
3
Turn slight right onto Lindenwold Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Lindenwold Avenue
4
Turn right onto South Bethlehem Pike
1.2 mi·2 min·South Bethlehem Pike
5
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
142 ft·3 sec
Toward PATP, PA 309
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 276, PATP: PA Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 276 West: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 276; PATP
264 mi·4 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi·54 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New StantonUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
15 mi·20 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
14
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
15
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
16
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
18
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
19
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
20
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
21
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
22
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
23
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
25
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
26
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
27
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
28
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
29
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
30
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
31
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
32
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
33
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
34
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
35
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
For this 305-mile, roughly 6-hour drive, consider leaving Ambler, PA in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With no highways involved, the pace will be steadier, so plan for your single stop to be around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as stopping for gas might be more frequent on surface roads compared to highway travel; the estimated fuel cost is $51. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on local traffic patterns in the Philadelphia area.
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 152.5 miles from Ambler, PA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.9 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 67 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.5 miles or 2h 50m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McMurray, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ambler, 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 Ambler, PA
This is one driving day of about 305 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Ambler, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 263.9 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 297.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 276, PATP: PA Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 276, PATP: PA Turnpike
7
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
7
267 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
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 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
6
267.4 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, W...
6
297.5 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.68 one way
$107.35 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$58.69
$117.39
premium
$5.23
$62.75
$125.51
diesel
$6.18
$74.20
$148.39
Estimated Tolls: $34.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(263.9 mi)$34.31
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8 mi)$0.56
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
$54
Tolls
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$114–$139
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.03
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.69
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.70
$19.52
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ambler, PA
Morning
in Ambler on Tuesday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
McMurray, PA
Morning
in McMurray on Tuesday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
65°F
King, PA
153 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 54m 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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 115.7
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...
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 220.9
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 73.6
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...
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 10.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highways for the full 305 miles. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is not specified, but expect frequent intersections and traffic lights as you navigate through towns and populated areas. You'll notice the shift from local roads like East Butler Avenue to slightly larger arteries such as Lindenwold Avenue and South Bethlehem Pike as you progress.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 305 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 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,241 ft217 ft
Total Climb
3,003 ft
Total Descent
2,217 ft
Highest Point
2,241 ft
~239.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,024 ft
Notable High Points
1,853 ft at ~174.3 miles+669 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ambler, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton, Washington, Columbus and Fayette City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 305 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.87 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 21 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 McMurray, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McMurray, PA before the return drive.
