Connecting Blairsville to Philadelphia, this 278.3-mile journey spans the breadth of Pennsylvania. Plan for roughly 4 hours and 37 minutes of travel time, making this a manageable excursion for a single day of driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, you can budget accordingly for the trip across the state. Because the route consists of turn-heavy local roads, you should prepare for a more active driving experience than a standard interstate commute. Whether you are heading east for business or a visit, the drive is best approached as a straightforward, one-day commitment.
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
131.3 miles from Blairsville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi
3h 16m
I 76
18 mi
26m
Quaker Valley Road
14.2 mi
20m
William Penn Highway
12.1 mi
16m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Cramer Pike
7.9 mi
13m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
I 99
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blairsville, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on this road
58 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto East Market Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Market Street
3
Continue on Old William Penn Highway
0.9 mi·1 min·Old William Penn Highway
4
Turn left onto Villa Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·Villa Road
5
Turn right onto US 22; US 119
12 mi·16 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
7
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi·13 min·Cramer Pike
8
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi·2 min·Cooper Avenue
9
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Iron Street
10
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·4th Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broad Street
12
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
2.1 mi·3 min·Johns Street
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
15
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Bedford Street
16
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
17
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
18
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
19
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
20
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
22
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
24
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
25
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
28
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
34
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
35
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
36
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 278.3-mile route, prioritize departing early in the morning to handle the winding sections during daylight hours. Since there are no designated stops provided, you should plan your own breaks strategically to maintain focus throughout the 4h 37m journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels early on, as the $45 budget reflects a steady pace that may vary depending on how frequently you navigate local traffic lights and intersections. Because this trip is best suited for a single day, maintain flexibility in your schedule to account for the slower average speeds associated with local roads compared to primary highways.
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 131.3 miles from Blairsville, PA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181 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 58 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 53m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blairsville, 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 Blairsville, PA
This is one driving day of about 262.6 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Blairsville, 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 181 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 262.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|US 22; US 119 / William Penn Highway
Turn right onto US 22; US 119 / William Penn Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
24.4 mi into trip|~39m in|PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
243.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
8
261.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
262.1 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.54 one way
$87.07 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.68
$95.36
premium
$4.93
$50.93
$101.86
diesel
$5.61
$57.98
$115.96
Estimated Tolls: $23.54
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181 mi)$23.54
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
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.57
$12.60
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.50
EV Truck/SUV
105
1
$36.76
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Blairsville, PA
Morning
in Blairsville on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
131 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 23m 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.
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 262.6
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 144.9
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 244.5
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 27.2
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 36.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging drive as you navigate away from the Blairsville area. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route is defined by its turn-heavy local roads, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend the entirety of the 4h 37m duration navigating regional thoroughfares rather than high-speed interstates. This profile creates a distinct personality for the trip, shifting the focus from speed to the constant adjustments of local navigation. It is a hands-on drive that demands engagement from start to finish.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 22; US 119 / William Penn Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 262.6 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 1.9 miles (US 22; US 119 / William Penn Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 243.1 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,118 ft45 ft
Total Climb
1,266 ft
Total Descent
2,233 ft
Highest Point
2,118 ft
~37.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,073 ft
Notable High Points
2,118 ft at ~37.5 miles+857 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blairsville, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 262.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.54 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Philadelphia, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 22; US 119 / William Penn Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 243.1 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 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 Philadelphia, PA before the return drive.
