Hempfield, PA to New Kensington, PA is 234.4 miles and takes about 4h 34m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 283, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward connection between two points. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. The route is designed for a single day of travel, making it a good choice for a quick trip.
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
117.2 miles from Hempfield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
200.2 mi
3h 39m
PA 283
21 mi
24m
Stony Battery Road
2.4 mi
4m
Pittsburgh Street
2.2 mi
6m
Freeport Road
2.2 mi
4m
Old Harrisburg Pike
1.1 mi
1m
Summit Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Ivy Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 200.2 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-283
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,121 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,562
Quietest
1 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 104 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 Hempfield, PA and New Kensington, PA.
1
Start on Summit Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Summit Drive
2
Continue on Summit Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Summit Drive
3
Turn right onto PA 23
0.2 mi·34 sec·Marietta Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Ivy Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Ivy Drive
5
At end of road, turn left onto Stony Battery Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Stony Battery Road
6
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·West Main Street
7
Continue on Old Harrisburg Pike
1.1 mi·1 min·Old Harrisburg Pike
8
Turn straight onto South Esbenshade Road
427 ft·9 sec·South Esbenshade Road
9
Continue on Esbenshade Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Esbenshade Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto PA 283
21 mi·24 min·PA 283
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·31 sec
Toward I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, PittsburghUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 283
406 ft·1 min·I 283
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
200 mi·3 hr 39 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
18
Turn straight onto Freeport Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Freeport Road
19
Continue on Pittsburgh Street
2.2 mi·6 min·Pittsburgh Street
20
Continue on Freeport Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Freeport Road
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Freeport Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Freeport Road
22
Turn straight onto New Kensington Bridge
0.3 mi·29 sec·New Kensington Bridge
23
Continue on 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
24
Turn left onto Constitution Boulevard
0.3 mi·42 sec·Constitution Boulevard
25
Turn right
316 ft·16 sec
26
Turn left onto Locust Street
279 ft·7 sec·Locust Street
27
Arrive at destination
Locust Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the 200.2-mile stretch on the turnpike; ensure you refuel before you get too low. The $39 fuel cost estimate suggests a moderately priced trip. Since this is a one-day drive, you have flexibility, but pay attention to signs for PA 283 as it marks a change from the turnpike.
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 117.2 miles from Hempfield, PA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.2 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 52 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 18m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Kensington, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hempfield, 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 Hempfield, PA
This is one driving day of about 234.4 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Hempfield, 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 200.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 228.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|PA 23 / Marietta Avenue
Turn right onto PA 23 / Marietta Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|Stony Battery Road
At end of road, turn left onto Stony Battery Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in|PA 283
Merge onto PA 283
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
228.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
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 PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
6
228.9 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Cheswick, Springdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.25 one way
$82.50 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$45.11
$90.22
premium
$5.23
$48.23
$96.45
diesel
$6.18
$57.02
$114.04
Estimated Tolls: $26.03
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(200.2 mi)$26.03
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
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Hempfield, PA
Morning
in Hempfield on Saturday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 to 16 mph92% chanceLive forecast
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
New Kensington, PA
Morning
in New Kensington on Saturday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 18 mph95% chanceLive forecast
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
39°F
King, PA
117 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 34m 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...
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 153.6
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 16.2
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 185.9
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 137.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 94% of this trip on highways, covering 200.2 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as the longest continuous stretch. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising for the bulk of your travel time. Expect limited opportunities to exit the main highway until you are closer to your destination, where you'll transition to PA 283 and then Stony Battery Road. The density of exits on the turnpike can be noticeable, so stay alert.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 283. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near PA 23 / Marietta Avenue.
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 16 significant decision points across 234.4 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 0.9 miles (PA 23 / Marietta Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Stony Battery Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.5 miles (PA 283): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,177 ft376 ft
Total Climb
1,802 ft
Total Descent
1,559 ft
Highest Point
2,177 ft
~167.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,802 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempfield, PA and New Kensington, PA, road signs point toward Patp Toll: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 234.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.03 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 New Kensington, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (PA 23 / Marietta Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Stony Battery Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.5 miles (PA 283): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at New Kensington, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
