Homer City to Philadelphia is 277.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the Southeast. Given that 92% of the drive is on highways, expect a fairly direct path for most of the 5.5-hour trip. This route is a solid choice for a single-day drive if you're looking to cover ground efficiently within the state.
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
138.8 miles from Homer City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi
3h 16m
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
US 422
25.6 mi
35m
I 76
18 mi
26m
William Penn Highway
16.4 mi
19m
US 119
2 mi
2m
Vine Street Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
West High Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-99
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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Homer City, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi·17 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Indiana Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Indiana Street
3
Continue on Old US 119 Highway South
0.3 mi·34 sec·Old US 119 Highway South
4
Turn right onto Lucerne Road Extension
0.1 mi·21 sec·Lucerne Road Extension
5
Turn left onto US 119; PA 56
2.0 mi·2 min·US 119; PA 56
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Exit AToward US 422 East: Ebensburg
7
Merge onto US 422
26 mi·35 min·US 422
8
Continue on West High Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West High Street
9
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
10
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi·28 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 22 East: HollidaysburgUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
15
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
17
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
18
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
21
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
28
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
29
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under 6 hours, it's ideal for a single-day trip. To make the most of your time, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential afternoon traffic in the Philadelphia area. The longest stretch without a major road change is 181 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint of that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46, and prices can vary, especially near major interchanges.
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 138.8 miles from Homer City, PA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181 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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Homer City, 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 Homer City, PA
This is one driving day of about 277.5 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Homer City, 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 181 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.4 and 277 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
30.4 mi into trip|~43m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
8
258 mi into trip|~4h 53m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
8
276 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
277 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.84 one way
$97.67 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$53.40
$106.80
premium
$5.23
$57.10
$114.19
diesel
$6.18
$67.51
$135.01
Estimated Tolls: $23.54
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181 mi)$23.54
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
$49
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.3
1
$29.14
$13.32
Efficient EV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
EV Truck/SUV
111
1
$38.85
$17.76
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Homer City, PA
Morning
in Homer City on Sunday
Local time
7:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
N 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
7:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
45°F
State Line, 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
2 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 22m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 277.5
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 258.4
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 153.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 28.7
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 200.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 92% of the 277.5 miles being high-speed roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99. The longest continuous stretch on this type of road is 181 miles. Expect a significant amount of highway driving before transitioning to surface roads closer to Philadelphia. The route features a high density of exits on the main highway sections, so stay alert for your chosen turnoffs.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 30.4 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 277.5 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 30.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,301 ft45 ft
Total Climb
2,376 ft
Total Descent
3,357 ft
Highest Point
2,301 ft
~39.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,257 ft
Notable High Points
2,301 ft at ~39.6 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 Homer City, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 277.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.54 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 18 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 Philadelphia, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 47.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, PA before the return drive.
