Connecting Hershey to Penn Hills, this 214.6-mile journey across Pennsylvania is a straightforward trip that typically takes 3 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a single day of travel rather than splitting it into an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel for the trek. You will begin your journey in the Northeast region and remain within the same region upon your arrival in Penn Hills. This trip is best suited for travelers who prefer local roads over high-speed interstate travel, offering a practical way to traverse the state in one sitting.
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
105.6 miles from Hershey, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
180.3 mi
3h 17m
US 322
7.2 mi
9m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
4.6 mi
6m
I 83
4.3 mi
5m
US 15
3.2 mi
4m
West Chocolate Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
Verona Road
2.1 mi
5m
American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 180.3 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hershey, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 422
2.4 mi·4 min·West Chocolate Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 322
7.2 mi·9 min·US 322
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on I 83
4.3 mi·5 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581
2.0 mi·2 min·American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Exit 41AToward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, GettysburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 5B-AToward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward US 15 South: GettysburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 15
3.2 mi·4 min·US 15
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 76; PATP
180 mi·3 hr 17 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
14
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
15
Merge onto I 376; US 22
4.6 mi·6 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 79BToward PA 130: ChurchillUse the slight left lane.
17
Turn right onto PA 130
1.2 mi·1 min·Beulah Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Coal Hollow Road
19
Continue on PA 130
1.0 mi·1 min·Coal Hollow Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto Verona Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Verona Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on Verona Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Verona Road
22
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft·24 sec·Mount Avenue
23
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft·5 sec·Sylvan Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 214.6-mile drive is designed to be completed in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. Budget for at least one stop along the way to manage the fatigue that can come from navigating a turn-heavy local route for over 3.5 hours. With a $36 fuel budget, it is smart to check your fuel levels before leaving Hershey to avoid hunting for stations on slower, local roads. Given the technical nature of the drive, keep your navigation tools handy, as the reliance on local roads like US 15 South and West Chocolate Avenue requires more frequent attention than a standard interstate route. Prioritize a steady pace to ensure you reach Penn Hills comfortably before the end of the day.
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 105.6 miles from Hershey, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.3 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 46 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.6 miles or 2h 5m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penn Hills, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hershey, 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 Hershey, PA
This is one driving day of about 211.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Hershey, 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 180.3 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 13.9 and 200.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
13.9 mi into trip|~20m in|PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg
8
15.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B-A
Toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: G...
8
16.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South: Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward US 15 South: Gettysburg
7
19.7 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, 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 I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
8
200.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.01 one way
$70.03 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$38.35
$76.70
premium
$4.93
$40.96
$81.92
diesel
$5.61
$46.63
$93.26
Estimated Tolls: $23.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(180.3 mi)$23.44
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
$35
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.4
0
$22.18
$10.14
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
EV Truck/SUV
84.5
1
$29.57
$13.52
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Hershey, PA
Morning
in Hershey on Tuesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Penn Hills, PA
Morning
in Penn Hills on Tuesday
Local time
8:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Martinsburg, PA
106 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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 9m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 138.3
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...
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 167.5
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 116.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route moves away from major highway corridors. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Your path begins on West Chocolate Avenue and transitions through the American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway and US 15 South. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions throughout the 214.6-mile duration. The lack of high-speed highway stretches means your focus will remain on the road ahead for the duration of the 3-hour and 32-minute trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 211.2 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 13.9 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hershey, PA and Penn Hills, PA, road signs point toward Gettysburg, Camp Hill, Patp: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Hershey is an unincorporated village in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. It has a rich history and cultural significance being the birthplace of Hershey's Chocolate. One of the village's most well known attractions is Hersheypark, a theme park that provides fun for the family.
Top landmarks
•Hersheypark — theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
•Fahrenheit — steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 211.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.44 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 Penn Hills, 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 13.9 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Penn Hills, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
