Haverford, PA to Saint Marys, PA is 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 27m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the northern part of the state. The profile suggests a drive that's mostly on surface roads, so expect a more local feel rather than pure highway speeds for the entire journey. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this is a manageable one-day excursion.
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
139.2 miles from Haverford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.5 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi
1h 21m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
Old Gulph Road
2.3 mi
5m
West Matsonford Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Haverford, PA and Saint Marys, PA.
1
Start on this road
10 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Winsor Lane
343 ft·14 sec·Winsor Lane
3
Turn right onto Woodside Road
525 ft·21 sec·Woodside Road
4
Turn right onto Montgomery Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Montgomery Avenue
5
Turn slight right onto New Gulph Road
1.1 mi·2 min·New Gulph Road
6
Continue on Old Gulph Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Old Gulph Road
7
Turn right onto West Matsonford Road
1.2 mi·2 min·West Matsonford Road
8
Take the ramp
110 ft·3 sec
Toward I 76 West, I 476 North: Valley Forge, Plymouth MeetingUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth MeetingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
16
Merge onto I 80
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
19
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
20
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
21
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
22
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
23
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
24
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
25
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
102 ft·1 sec·Railroad Street
26
Arrive at destination
PA 120; PA 255
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m estimated drive time, leaving Haverford in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Saint Marys with plenty of daylight. You'll want to plan for at least one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is practical, especially as you move onto the surface road portions. The longest continuous highway stretch is 165.5 miles, so consider fueling up before you begin that segment if you're concerned about range.
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 139.2 miles from Haverford, PA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.5 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 40m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Marys, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 278.4 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Haverford, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 165.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 84.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Winsor Lane
Turn right onto Winsor Lane
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Woodside Road
Turn right onto Woodside Road
Navigation decision point
7
5.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 76 West, I 476 North: Valley Forge, Plymouth Meeting
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 76 West, I 476 North: Valley Forge, Pl...
7
5.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
84.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.39 one way
$88.78 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$49.13
$98.25
premium
$4.81
$52.70
$105.40
diesel
$4.80
$52.57
$105.13
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)$9.75
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
$44
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.23
$13.36
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$38.98
$17.82
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Haverford, PA
Evening
in Haverford on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM 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
Saint Marys, PA
Evening
in Saint Marys on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Smoke
S 3 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM 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
68°F
Harrisburg, PA
139 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
6 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 27m 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
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...
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...
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...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 278.4 miles, with 28% on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch of highway cruising for 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, the profile shifts to mostly surface roads, meaning you'll encounter more local traffic and varying speed limits. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and changes in scenery as you transition away from the limited-access highways.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Winsor Lane.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 278.4 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: near the start (Winsor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Woodside Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,662 ft266 ft
Total Climb
3,196 ft
Total Descent
1,854 ft
Highest Point
1,662 ft
~278.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,396 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Haverford, PA and Saint Marys, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Penfield.
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.
St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Sitting near the center of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, St. Marys provides a great jumping-off point for visits to the area's parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.75 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Saint Marys, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Winsor Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Woodside Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 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 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Marys, PA before the return drive.
