Hempfield, PA to Oil City, PA is 243.9 miles and takes about 5h 13m via US 322 and US 22, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, covering a mix of highway and surface roads. It’s a straightforward drive, mostly on major routes, making it a good option if you need to get between these two points efficiently. Consider this route for its practicality and manageable duration, especially if you're looking for a single-day transit.
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
122 miles from Hempfield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 322
54.4 mi
1h 7m
Keystone Shortway
51.7 mi
55m
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
PA 283
20.6 mi
23m
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
US Highway 322
12.4 mi
17m
Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 322
— 54.4 mi, about 1h 7m
Traffic on I-283
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,124 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Hempfield, PA and Oil City, 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·23 min·PA 283
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi·2 min·I 283
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
16
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
17
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
18
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 322
Exit 67A; 67BToward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 322
Exit 67BToward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State CollegeUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi·32 min·US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
21
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
24
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
26
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
27
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
28
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
29
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
30
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
32
Merge onto I 80
52 mi·55 min·Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 322: Strattanville
34
Turn right onto US 322
4.0 mi·5 min·Route 322
35
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
36
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
37
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
38
Turn slight right onto US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·North 1st Avenue
39
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
40
Continue on US 322
2.5 mi·3 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
41
Turn right onto PA 257
5.1 mi·8 min·Pennsylvania Highway 257
42
Continue on US 62
0.3 mi·19 sec·East 2nd Street
43
Continue on US 62
0.6 mi·43 sec·East Front Street
44
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Bridge
0.2 mi·39 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
45
Continue on Elm Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Elm Street
46
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
345 ft·17 sec·Sycamore Street
Use the right lane.
47
Turn right onto Spring Street
4 ft·0 sec·Spring Street
48
Arrive at destination
Spring Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 13m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Pay attention to your fuel levels, especially before heading into longer stretches where services might be less frequent. Given the manageable distance, you could easily complete this trip in one day, but if you prefer a more leisurely pace, consider breaking it up with an overnight stay. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between the Keystone Shortway and US 322, as the driving experience will change.
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 122 miles from Hempfield, PA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 54 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 39m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oil City, 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 243.9 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 US 322 for about 54.4 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.6 and 243.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
29.6 mi into trip|~40m in|I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283 toward I 83 North, US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
8
29.8 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
36.2 mi into trip|~50m in|US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
36.5 mi into trip|~50m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...
7
243.9 mi into trip|~5h 13m in|Sycamore Street
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.89 one way
$77.78 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$43.04
$86.08
premium
$4.81
$46.17
$92.34
diesel
$4.80
$46.05
$92.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.61
$11.71
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.34
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.15
$15.61
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hempfield, PA
Morning
in Hempfield on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 7 to 12 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Oil City, PA
Morning
in Oil City on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 7 to 10 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
4 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 13m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 42.1
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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 59% highway, offering a solid amount of time on faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 54.4 miles on US 322, providing a good opportunity for consistent cruising. After the highway segments, expect to transition to more varied surface roads. Keep an eye out for the shift from limited-access highways to roads with more intersections and local traffic.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on US 322.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.6 miles in near I 283.
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 25 significant decision points across 243.9 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 29.6 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,155 ft398 ft
Total Climb
2,882 ft
Total Descent
2,412 ft
Highest Point
2,155 ft
~139.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,757 ft
Notable High Points
1,778 ft at ~104.5 miles+732 ft prominence
2,155 ft at ~139.4 miles+660 ft prominence
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 Oil City, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 243.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on US 322. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Oil City, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.6 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oil City, PA before the return drive.
