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 Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
235.7 mi
379 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Haverford, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Oil City, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Haverford, PA to Oil City, PA is 235.7 miles and takes about 4h 29m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without extensive planning.
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
117.8 miles from Haverford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 181.2 mi | 3h 16m |
| I 99 | 27.8 mi | 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Old Gulph Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Portage Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Gulph Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West 2nd Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical · worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Haverford, PA and Oil City, 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
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on US 22
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 53
Continue on PA 53
Continue on PA 53
Turn left onto PA 53
Turn right onto PA 53
Turn sharp right onto Cassandra Road
Arrive at destination
For this approximately 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to make it a quick break or a more leisurely pause. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a fuel stop accordingly. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but keep an eye on the time to avoid arriving in Oil City after dark.
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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oil City, 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 235.7 miles and 4h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.8 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 181.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · around the midpoint
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Around the midpoint, short detour
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+12673318457
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Malvern, Pennsylvania
+16106445822
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short 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 8.9 — 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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$41.48 one way
$82.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $45.36 | $90.72 |
| premium | $5.23 | $48.49 | $96.99 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $57.34 | $114.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.56
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
$41
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.75 | $11.31 |
| Efficient EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.00 | $15.08 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Haverford on Saturday
Local time
8:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 8:16AM EDT until October 16 at 9:30AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 8:08AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Morning in Oil City on Saturday
Local time
8:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 8:16AM EDT until October 16 at 9:30AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 8:08AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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.
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 235.7 miles on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 181.2 miles. Expect frequent exits and highway merging for a significant portion of the trip. The last part of your drive will transition to surface roads as you approach Oil City.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. 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 23 significant decision points across 235.7 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,885 ft
Total Descent
1,432 ft
Highest Point
1,845 ft
~168.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,526 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Haverford, PA and Oil City, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
Johnstown
Hollidaysburg
Haverford Township is a region of Delaware County in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a western suburb of Philadelphia. About 50,000 people live in Haverford Township. It was founded by the Welsh Quakers in 1681 and purchased by William Penn.
Founded 1824
Oil City is the largest city in Venango County in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 235.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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