Cranberry, PA to McMurray, PA is 265.1 miles and takes about 5h 41m via Harwood Road, South Broad Street, and Susquehanna Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. Expect a route that predominantly uses surface roads, making for a more local feel rather than high-speed travel. With just one recommended stop, it's a manageable day trip that avoids the highway for a more grounded experience.
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
132.6 miles from Cranberry, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
95.2 mi
1h 43m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
McMurray Road
3.9 mi
8m
State Route 93
3.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,120 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,611
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Cranberry, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on Old Cranberry Road
408 ft·23 sec·Old Cranberry Road
2
Turn left onto Harwood Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Harwood Road
3
Continue on South Broad Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Broad Street
4
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
5
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
6
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
7
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
9
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
11
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
34 mi·36 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
15
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
19
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
23
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
24
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
25
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
26
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
27
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
28
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
3.0 mi·6 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn slight right onto Milford Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Milford Drive
30
Turn left onto Hillcrest Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hillcrest Street
31
Continue on Bethel Church Road
365 ft·12 sec·Bethel Church Road
32
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Church Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Bethel Church Road
33
Turn left onto Bethel Church Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bethel Church Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto Orange Belt
3.9 mi·8 min·McMurray Road
Use the left lane.
35
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
36
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of about 5 hours and 41 minutes, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time. Plan for your single recommended stop somewhere around the halfway point to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48 and you'll want to avoid running low, especially on non-highway routes where stations might be less frequent. The consistent use of surface roads means you'll be moving at a more moderate pace, so factor that into your timing.
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 132.6 miles from Cranberry, PA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 32m 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 21m
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 Cranberry, 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 Cranberry, PA
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cranberry, 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 95.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.5 and 249.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
103.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
6
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
8
237.8 mi into trip|~4h 51m in|I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
249.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73A
Toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
6
249.7 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|PA 885 / Bates Street
Turn right onto PA 885 / Bates Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.83 one way
$93.66 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.90
$51.15
$102.30
premium
$5.25
$54.75
$109.51
diesel
$6.20
$64.70
$129.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Oct 11, 2026
Origin
Cranberry, PA
Morning
in Cranberry on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Rain Showers
SE 10 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 11 at 7:32AM EDT until October 11 at 10:30AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 11 at 2:22AM EDT until October 11 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
McMurray, PA
Morning
in McMurray on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Rain Showers
E 5 to 14 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 11 at 7:32AM EDT until October 11 at 10:30AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 11 at 2:22AM EDT until October 11 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
6 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 41m 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.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 182.8
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 192
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets like Harwood Road, South Broad Street, and Susquehanna Boulevard for the full 265.1 miles. Given the lack of highway, anticipate frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you pass through different towns and neighborhoods, rather than sustained high-speed cruising.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 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 103.5 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 19 significant decision points across 265.1 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 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.8 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,348 ft548 ft
Total Climb
2,930 ft
Total Descent
3,516 ft
Highest Point
2,348 ft
~189.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,800 ft
Notable High Points
1,672 ft at ~75.7 miles+686 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cranberry, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.8 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
