North Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Croydon, PA to Upper Saint Clair, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 16m
Distance
318.8 mi
513 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 4m
★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 25m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Upper Saint Clair, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Croydon, PA to Upper Saint Clair, PA is 318.8 miles and takes about 6h 16m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region to its western part. Given the relatively short duration and high highway percentage, this route is best suited for a single-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward transit rather than a scenic exploration.
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
159.4 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 284.7 mi | 5h 9m |
| Lincoln Way | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| Street Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Lebanon Church Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Lincoln Highway | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| South Park Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Broughton Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| State Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 284.7 mi, about 5h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Upper Saint Clair, 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, PATP
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
285 mi
·
5 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 30
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Lincoln Way
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Way
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue
13
Turn straight onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lysle Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Jerome Street Bridge
15
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Avenue
17
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Richland Avenue
18
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard
19
Turn slight left onto Yellow Belt
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Lebanon Church Road
20
Continue on Yellow Belt
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Curry Hollow Road
21
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Brownsville Road
22
Turn right onto Broughton Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Broughton Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Baptist Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Baptist Road
24
Continue on South Park Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Park Road
25
Turn right onto Drake Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Drake Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto Bethel Church Road
217 ft
·
12 sec
·
Bethel Church Road
27
Turn right onto Orange Belt
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
McMurray Road
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Morrow Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrow Road
29
Turn left onto Mill Grove Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Grove Road
30
Turn left onto Swanson Lane
170 ft
·
7 sec
·
Swanson Lane
31
Arrive at destination
Swanson Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll road, so ensure you have your payment method ready. With a fuel cost estimated around $53, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick transit. Keep an eye out for exit signs as you approach mile 284, where the character of the road will change.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.4 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.7 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 70 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.4 miles or 2h 58m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Saint Clair, 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 318.8 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 284.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.4 miles from Croydon, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
South Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
King of Prussia Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Valley Forge Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
New Stanton Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Bomansville Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 292.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Street Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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
291.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
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 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
7
292.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.10 one way
$112.21 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $61.35 | $122.70 |
| premium | $5.23 | $65.59 | $131.18 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $77.55 | $155.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $37.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(284.7 mi)
$37.01
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
$56
Tolls
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$118–$143
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.47 | $15.30 |
| Efficient EV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.5 | 1 | $44.63 | $20.40 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Croydon, PA
Morning in Croydon on Saturday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 to 15 mph
100% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:51PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:07PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Upper Saint Clair, PA
Morning in Upper Saint Clair on Saturday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
NW 0 to 14 mph
67% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:51PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:07PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
39°F
King, PA
159 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
7 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 33
View on nps.gov
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 131.9
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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 241.9
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 88
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 22
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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 22
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of the 318.8 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 284.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect the highway portion to conclude around mile 284, transitioning to surface roads for the final segment. The high highway share means you'll encounter a steady stream of exits and interchanges for much of the trip.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Way. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 318.8 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 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,176 ft
26 ft
Total Climb
2,752 ft
Total Descent
1,697 ft
Highest Point
2,176 ft
~250.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,150 ft
Notable High Points
2,176 ft at ~250.5 miles
+618 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Croydon, PA to Upper Saint Clair, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mckeesport along the way.
Mckeesport
291.7 mi in
|
~5h 22m
About the Cities
Starting in Croydon, PA
Full guide →Arriving in Upper Saint Clair, PA
Full guide →Founded 1830
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 318.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $37.01 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 20 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 Upper Saint Clair, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Saint Clair, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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