Croydon, PA to Penn Hills, PA is 313.1 miles and takes about 5h 53m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. Given its high highway percentage and single-day recommendation, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B without many detours.
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
156.6 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
295.6 mi
5h 21m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
4.6 mi
6m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
Verona Road
2.1 mi
5m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Beulah Road
1.2 mi
1m
Coal Hollow Road
1 mi
1m
Lincoln Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 295.6 mi, about 5h 21m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,320 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
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 Croydon, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on State Road
1.6 mi·3 min·State Road
2
Turn right onto Street Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Street Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
4
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi·26 sec·Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 276, PATPUse the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
296 mi·5 hr 21 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
10
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
11
Merge onto I 376; US 22
4.6 mi·6 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 79BToward PA 130: ChurchillUse the slight left lane.
13
Turn right onto PA 130
1.2 mi·1 min·Beulah Road
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Coal Hollow Road
15
Continue on PA 130
1.0 mi·1 min·Coal Hollow Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto Verona Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Verona Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on Verona Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Verona Road
18
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft·24 sec·Mount Avenue
19
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft·5 sec·Sylvan Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 53m drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to Penn Hills. With a longest stretch of nearly 300 miles on the turnpike, plan for one well-timed stop about halfway through to refuel and stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $51 should be factored into your budget, and since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 156.6 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 295.6 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 69 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 2h 55m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penn Hills, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Croydon, 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 Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 313.1 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Croydon, 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 295.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 308.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
8
302.6 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
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 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
7
303.4 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
308.1 mi into trip|~5h 43m in
Take the exit toward PA 130: Churchill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 79B
Toward PA 130: Churchill
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.37 one way
$110.74 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$60.65
$121.30
premium
$5.24
$64.64
$129.28
diesel
$5.35
$65.95
$131.90
Estimated Tolls: $38.43
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(295.6 mi)$38.43
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
$55
Tolls
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$119–$144
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.88
$15.03
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.40
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.83
$20.04
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Evening
in Croydon on Wednesday
Local time
7:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 26 at 5:13AM EDT until May 26 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 26 at 3:49AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Penn Hills, PA
Evening
in Penn Hills on Wednesday
Local time
7:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 26 at 5:13AM EDT until May 26 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 26 at 3:49AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
2 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 53m 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...
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 129.6
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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 237.6
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 86.4
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, covering a continuous stretch of 295.6 miles. Expect dense exit activity as you approach your destination in Penn Hills, transitioning from the main turnpike to local roads like Street Road and the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 295.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 313.1 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 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 313.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 295.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $38.43 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 Penn Hills, 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 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 Penn Hills, PA before the return drive.
