Frackville to McMurray is 264.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-81, and I-70, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the west. With 93% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward commute with minimal detours. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
132.3 miles from Frackville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
151.8 mi
2h 47m
I 81
71.7 mi
1h 24m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
Bebout Road
2.9 mi
6m
Monogahela Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Venetia Road
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 151.8 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,785 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~380 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
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 Frackville, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on East Oak Street
75 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
2
Turn left onto PA 61
0.6 mi·1 min·South Lehigh Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
72 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 52Toward US 11: New Kingstown, MiddlesexUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
Toward US 11 SouthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi·54 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New StantonUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
15 mi·20 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
14
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
15
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
16
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
18
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
19
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
20
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
21
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
22
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
23
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
25
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
26
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
27
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
28
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
29
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
30
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
31
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
32
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
33
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
34
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
35
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 19m estimated drive time, departing Frackville in the morning should allow you to arrive in McMurray with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest continuous stretch is 151.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the midway point of that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in departure time and can adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $44 for budgeting purposes.
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 132.3 miles from Frackville, PA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.8 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 8m
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 Frackville, 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 Frackville, PA
This is one driving day of about 264.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Frackville, 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 151.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 226.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 61 / South Lehigh Avenue
Turn left onto PA 61 / South Lehigh Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
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 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
73 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
226.5 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.17 one way
$84.35 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$46.67
$93.35
premium
$4.81
$50.07
$100.14
diesel
$4.80
$49.94
$99.89
Estimated Tolls: $20.29
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(151.8 mi)$19.73
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8 mi)$0.56
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
$42
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.77
$12.70
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.03
$16.93
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Frackville, PA
Morning
in Frackville on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
McMurray, PA
Morning
in McMurray on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
S 2 to 6 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
83°F
King, PA
132 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 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 19m 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
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 36.5
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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 182.4
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 209.8
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 164.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 93% of the 264.5 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 151.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which means consistent cruising with fewer exits. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach McMurray, transitioning to more typical surface roads for the final few miles.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 61 / South Lehigh Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 264.5 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: near the start (PA 61 / South Lehigh Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,325 ft392 ft
Total Climb
2,715 ft
Total Descent
3,201 ft
Highest Point
2,325 ft
~190.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,933 ft
Notable High Points
1,740 ft at ~133.4 miles+612 ft prominence
2,325 ft at ~190.6 miles+625 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frackville, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Washington - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 264.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m 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 151.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $20.29 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 23 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 61 / South Lehigh Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
