Spice Restaurant & Bar
Around the midpoint, short detour
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 25m
Distance
286.4 mi
461 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Churchill, PA
Wil Carranza
Spanning 286.4 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Haverford to Churchill is a manageable trek that typically takes 5 hours and 25 minutes to complete. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, you should plan for a full day of driving. Budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. This trip is best suited as a single-day journey, as the 0% highway share makes for a slower, more deliberate pace. Since you remain within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip, you can expect consistent road conditions throughout your travel.
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
143.2 miles from Haverford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 270.7 mi | 4h 54m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Old Gulph Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Gulph Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| New Gulph Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Montgomery Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Beulah Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Haverford, PA and Churchill, PA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Winsor Lane
Turn right onto Woodside Road
Turn right onto Montgomery Avenue
Turn slight right onto New Gulph Road
Continue on Old Gulph Road
Continue on PA 320
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 76
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 376; US 22
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 130
Arrive at destination
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, you should aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for navigating local streets. Pacing is key; since the total duration is over five hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads often lack the frequent, high-volume service plazas found on major interstates. A smart strategy for this specific 286.4-mile trek is to preload your GPS with the entire route beforehand, as the reliance on local roads like Winsor Lane and Woodside Road involves many turns that are easy to miss.
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.
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 143.2 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 Churchill, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Haverford, 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 Haverford, PA
This is one driving day of about 286.4 miles and 5h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.2 miles from Haverford, 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 270.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Tasty Zaytoon Lebanese Market and Restaurant
Exton, Pennsylvania
Vickey's Soul Grill | Restaurant & Catering
Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Exton, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14848733198
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
+14125965367
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+14128233340
Near the end, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+14122423700
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+12673318457
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+14129680848
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Hours: 4:30–9 pm
+14123724414
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jones Mills, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Adamsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887174544
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17175668131
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 280 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$47.48 one way
$94.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $52.00 | $104.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $55.54 | $111.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.23 | $126.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $35.19
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
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.10 | $18.33 |
Gas CO2
100 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Haverford on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Churchill on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
54°F
Hancock, MD
143 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route keeps you engaged as you navigate through Winsor Lane, Woodside Road, and Montgomery Avenue. Because the highway share is 0%, the character of the road is defined by constant changes in scenery and road geometry rather than high-speed straightaways. You will find that the lack of highway stretches creates a more intimate, localized experience, though it does mean the drive will feel significantly longer than a standard freeway trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.7 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 286.4 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 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 286.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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