Trip from East McKeesport, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

288.6 mi

464 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

39 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 17m ★

6 AM

5h 31m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 40m

12 PM

5h 37m

3 PM

5h 41m

5 PM

5h 56m

8 PM

5h 23m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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East McKeesport, PA

Michael Taccetta

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from East McKeesport, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 288.6 miles and takes about 5h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 76, Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 259.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

144.3 miles from East McKeesport, PA

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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	259.6 mi	4h 42m
I 76	18 mi	26m
Lincoln Highway	8.4 mi	16m
Vine Street Expressway	0.8 mi	1m
North 15th Street	0.4 mi	<1m
Park Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m
South Penn Square	0.1 mi	<1m
Greensburg Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 259.6 mi, about 4h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East McKeesport, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

Start on Yellow Belt

148 ft · 3 sec · 5th Avenue

Turn left onto Park Avenue

0.2 mi · 59 sec · Park Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 30

390 ft · 9 sec · Greensburg Avenue

Continue on US 30

8.4 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward PATP, I 76

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · this road

Toward PATP, I 76

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 76; PATP

260 mi · 4 hr 42 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30

0.8 mi · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway

Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 11 sec

Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto North 15th Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · North 15th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left onto PA 611

379 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square

Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square

167 ft · 2 sec · South Penn Square

Arrive at destination

South Penn Square

Trip Plan

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 144.3 miles from East McKeesport, PA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.6 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 63 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 144.3 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving East McKeesport, 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 East McKeesport, PA

This is one driving day of about 288.6 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from East McKeesport, 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 259.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.3 miles from East McKeesport, 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 259.6 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Djakarta Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 288.6

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+12154638888

Visit website

Jodi B's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

3 mi

Amsale Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

RIM Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 288.6

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12154653515

Visit website

CNT Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1.3 mi

Holy Cannoli! Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 mi

Djakarta Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+12154638888

Visit website

Jodi B's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14128233340

Amsale Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12153974420

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.6

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Esta Esta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14123724414

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Vickey's Soul Grill | Restaurant & Catering

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14125965367

Visit website

RIM Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12154653515

Visit website

CNT Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12678869851

Visit website

Holy Cannoli! Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+12673191700

Visit website

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 20.6

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 20.6

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 20.6

Hunker, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

+12159652305

Visit website

NEST Center City

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14452232683

Visit website

MindEscape Escape Room Philadelphia

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 288.6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–9:30 pm

+12154546159

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 288 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9.1 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

269.1 mi into trip | ~5h 1m 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

287.1 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...

287.9 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward Central Philadelphia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Central Philadelphia

288 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.85 one way

$95.69 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$52.40	$104.80
premium	$4.93	$55.97	$111.94
diesel	$5.61	$63.72	$127.44

Estimated Tolls: $33.75

Pennsylvania Turnpike (259.6 mi) $33.75

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

$48

Tolls

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$107–$132

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

39 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Travelers' Oasis - Tesla Supercharger

BREEZEWOOD, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

North Huntingdon, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

North Huntingdon, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

GetGo - Tesla Supercharger

New Stanton, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

South Somerset Service Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Somerset, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

North Somerset Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Somerset, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger

Breezewood, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sunoco - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Littleton, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 13 ChargePoint Network: 9 APPLEGREEN: 4 Electrify America: 3 FCN: 3 eVgo Network: 2 EV Connect: 2 Non-Networked: 1 CHARGESMART_EV: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	86.6	1	$30.30	$13.85
Efficient EV	72.2	0	$25.25	$11.54
EV Truck/SUV	115.4	1	$40.40	$18.47

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 Apr 19, 2026

Origin

East McKeesport, PA

Morning in East McKeesport on Sunday

Local time

9:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, PA

Morning in Philadelphia on Sunday

Local time

9:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

144 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

26 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 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.

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

288.6 mi in 5h 30m, mostly highway — 259.6 mi of that is on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 259.6 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 9.1 miles in.

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 12 significant decision points across 288.6 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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.1 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 287.1 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Philadelphia, PA

Full guide →

“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682

Top landmarks

• Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Liberty Bell — bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA that serves as a symbol of American inde...
• Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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 5h 30m. Total distance: 288.6 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 259.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $33.75 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 Philadelphia, 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.

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 Philadelphia, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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