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Trip from Dunbar, PA to Whitman, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

282.5 mi

455 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 17m ★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

borough of Pennsylvania

Dunbar, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Whitman, PA, PA

Whitman, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

Dunbar, PA to Whitman, PA is 282.5 miles and takes about 5h 30m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day duration, you can comfortably complete this route without needing an overnight stay. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance within the state.

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

141.2 miles from Dunbar, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 236.3 mi 4h 17m
I 76 18 mi 26m
Pleasant Valley Road 7.9 mi 13m
PA 31 6 mi 9m
South 8th Street 3.9 mi 4m
Schuylkill Expressway 3 mi 4m
Morrell Avenue 2.2 mi 2m
Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 236.3 mi, about 4h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, PA and Whitman, PA.

1

Start on this road

44 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Connellsville Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Connellsville Street
3

Turn sharp right onto Woodvale Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Woodvale Street
4

Continue on Woodvale Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Woodvale Street
5

Continue on Dunbar Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dunbar Road
6

Take the ramp

199 ft · 5 sec
7

Merge onto US 119

0.5 mi · 36 sec · University Drive
8

Continue on US 119

2.2 mi · 2 min · Morrell Avenue
9

Continue on US 119

3.9 mi · 4 min · South 8th Street
10

Take the exit

244 ft · 6 sec
11

Turn straight onto PA 982

7.9 mi · 13 min · Pleasant Valley Road
12

Turn right onto PA 31

6.0 mi · 9 min · PA 31
13

Turn slight left

0.2 mi · 33 sec
14

Turn left

28 ft · 3 sec
15

Take the ramp

493 ft · 12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 35 sec
17

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

236 mi · 4 hr 17 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto I 76

18 mi · 26 min · I 76
Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

3.0 mi · 4 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 347B Toward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue
21

Keep slight left at fork

151 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge
22

Continue on West Oregon Vare Avenue

0.1 mi · 13 sec · West Oregon Vare Avenue
23

Continue on Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue

1.8 mi · 3 min · Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue
Use the left lane.
24

Turn left onto South 5th Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
25

Turn right onto Porter Street

465 ft · 24 sec · Porter Street
26

Turn right onto South 4th Street

270 ft · 13 sec · South 4th Street
27

Turn right onto Vollmer Street

238 ft · 10 sec · Vollmer Street
28

Arrive at destination

Vollmer Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 30m estimated driving time, starting your journey in Dunbar, PA in the morning allows ample daylight to reach Whitman, PA. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 236 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you embark or about halfway through this segment to ensure you have plenty of gas. While the drive is manageable in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning from the turnpike to local roads like Pleasant Valley Road, as services might be less frequent.

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 141.2 miles from Dunbar, PA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 62 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 Whitman, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, PA

This is one driving day of about 282.5 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Dunbar, 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 236.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hilltown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hilltown, PA

141 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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hilltown, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.2 miles from Dunbar, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 280.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Woodvale Street

Turn sharp right onto Woodvale Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

8
258.9 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
6
276.9 mi into trip | ~5h 20m in | I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
279.9 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in

Take the exit toward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 347B Toward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue
6
280.2 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.83 one way

$93.67 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $51.29 $102.59
premium $4.93 $54.79 $109.57
diesel $5.61 $62.37 $124.74

Estimated Tolls: $30.72

Pennsylvania Turnpike (236.3 mi) $30.72

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

$47

Tolls

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.8 1 $29.66 $13.56
Efficient EV 70.6 0 $24.72 $11.30
EV Truck/SUV 113 1 $39.55 $18.08

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Dunbar, PA

Morning in Dunbar on Tuesday

Local time

8:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Whitman, PA

Morning in Whitman on Tuesday

Local time

8:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

92°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

62°F

Hilltown, PA

141 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

43 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 30m 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.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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 ~5 min detour Free near mile 155.9
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 near mile 282.5
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 282.5
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 253.3
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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 48.7
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

11 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the mileage on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 236.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent cruising experience. The profile suggests a steady pace for most of the trip, punctuated by a short section on Pleasant Valley Road. This means you'll spend the bulk of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, minimizing complex navigation.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 0.3 miles in near Woodvale Street.

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 17 significant decision points across 282.5 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 0.3 miles (Woodvale Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 258.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.9 miles (I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dunbar, PA and Whitman, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.

Patp

22.3 mi in | ~35m

Philadelphia

258.9 mi in | ~4h 54m | via I 76

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 282.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $30.72 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 Whitman, 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 0.3 miles (Woodvale Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 258.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.9 miles (I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Whitman, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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