Damascus, PA to McMurray, PA is 344.2 miles and takes about 7h 29m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, meaning you'll likely experience a more local feel than a pure interstate trip. With only two planned stops, it's a manageable one-day excursion if you're looking for a direct way to cover this distance.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.1 miles from Damascus, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
American Legion Memorial Highway
35 mi
42m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
15.4 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
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 Damascus, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on River Road
130 ft·12 sec·River Road
2
Turn left onto PA 371
9.0 mi·15 min·Cochecton Turnpike
3
Turn left onto PA 191
9.2 mi·13 min·Hancock Highway
4
Continue on PA 191
0.7 mi·1 min·Fair Avenue
5
Continue on PA 191
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Turn right onto US 6
0.9 mi·2 min·West Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 6
11 mi·20 min·Roosevelt Highway
8
Continue on US 6
15 mi·18 min·Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-BarreUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 81
35 mi·42 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
12
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
14
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
18
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
19
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
26
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
27
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
28
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
29
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
30
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
31
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
3.0 mi·6 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Turn slight right onto Milford Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Milford Drive
33
Turn left onto Hillcrest Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hillcrest Street
34
Continue on Bethel Church Road
365 ft·12 sec·Bethel Church Road
35
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Church Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Bethel Church Road
36
Turn left onto Bethel Church Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bethel Church Road
37
At end of road, turn left onto Orange Belt
3.9 mi·8 min·McMurray Road
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
39
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 29 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself; consider a longer break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move away from highway stretches, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The $56 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. Since this is a one-day drive, you can be flexible with your departure time, but an earlier start will allow for a more relaxed pace.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.1 miles from Damascus, PA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 76 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.1 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
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 Damascus, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Damascus, PA
This is one driving day of about 344.2 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Damascus, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 98.5 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 47.2 and 328.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
47.2 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6
182.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
207.1 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
316.9 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
328.7 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.11 one way
$120.23 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$65.82
$131.64
premium
$5.20
$70.41
$140.82
diesel
$6.28
$85.05
$170.09
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Cochecton Turnpike
(9 mi)$0.63
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
$60
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.3
1
$36.14
$16.52
Efficient EV
86.1
0
$30.12
$13.77
EV Truck/SUV
137.7
1
$48.19
$22.03
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Damascus, PA
Late night
in Damascus on Thursday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
N 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
Destination
McMurray, PA
Late night
in McMurray on Thursday
Local time
5:48 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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 29m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 261.1
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 273
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 16% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of highway, 98.5 miles, on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a more rural cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The shift from highway to surface roads will involve more local traffic and potentially more intersections.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 47.2 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 24 significant decision points across 344.2 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 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,279 ft663 ft
Total Climb
3,156 ft
Total Descent
2,891 ft
Highest Point
2,279 ft
~283.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,616 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Damascus, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 344.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 in tolls one way, starting with Cochecton 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 24 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
