Spanning 292.5 miles across Pennsylvania, your journey from Jim Thorpe to McMurray typically takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes. This trip is efficiently handled in a single day, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to cross the state without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-81, and I-70, which keeps the flow of traffic moving steadily. Budgeting approximately $48 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the expenses of this highway-focused transit. Because both your starting point and destination are located in the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, practical route for those prioritizing a direct arrival over scenic detours.
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
146.2 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
151.8 mi
2h 47m
I 81
79.1 mi
1h 33m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
Stock Street
5.2 mi
9m
East Catawissa Street
4.1 mi
6m
Barnesville Drive
3.2 mi
5m
Bebout Road
2.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 151.8 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jim Thorpe, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on West 6th Street
135 ft·8 sec·West 6th Street
2
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi·1 min·North Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
4
Continue on US 209
4.1 mi·6 min·East Catawissa Street
5
Turn slight right onto PA 54
5.2 mi·9 min·Stock Street
6
Continue on PA 54
2.7 mi·4 min·Hauto Highway
7
Continue on PA 54
1.3 mi·2 min·Lafayette Avenue
8
Continue on PA 54
1.3 mi·2 min·Mahanoy Avenue
9
Continue on PA 54
2.1 mi·3 min·Pine Creek Drive
10
Continue on PA 54
0.6 mi·1 min·Barnesville Drive
11
Continue on PA 54
2.6 mi·4 min·Barnesville Drive
12
Continue on PA 54
0.6 mi·1 min·Vulcan Hill Road
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
14
Merge onto I 81
79 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 52Toward US 11: New Kingstown, MiddlesexUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
Toward US 11 SouthUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
21
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi·54 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New StantonUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
15 mi·20 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
24
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
25
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
26
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
28
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
29
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
30
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
31
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
32
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
33
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
35
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
36
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
37
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
38
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
39
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
40
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
41
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
42
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
43
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
44
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
45
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
To keep your 6-hour travel day manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-70, keep a close eye on traffic alerts to avoid potential delays near busier interchanges. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to maintain your estimated arrival time and beat the heavier mid-day traffic. Because you are tackling a long stretch of highway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the Turnpike to avoid premium pricing at remote service plazas. Embracing the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to reach McMurray in time for an evening arrival without the stress of managing multiple overnight logistics.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 146.2 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.8 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 64 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 3h 4m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McMurray, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jim Thorpe, 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 Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 292.5 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Jim Thorpe, 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 151.8 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.7 and 254.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
100.7 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
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 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
100.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
102.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
254.4 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
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 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
6
254.9 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, W...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.49 one way
$96.99 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.11
$106.22
premium
$4.93
$56.73
$113.45
diesel
$5.61
$64.58
$129.16
Estimated Tolls: $20.29
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(151.8 mi)$19.73
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8 mi)$0.56
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
$48
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.71
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.59
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.95
$18.72
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Jim Thorpe, PA
Afternoon
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McMurray, PA
Afternoon
in McMurray on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SE 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
146 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
1 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 100.9
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 60.5
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 211.8
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 242
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 191.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 87% of your time will be spent cruising on major highways. The route features a significant 151.8-mile stretch along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where you can maintain a steady pace for a large portion of your travel. This highway-focused profile means you should prepare for a consistent interstate experience rather than winding local roads. While the terrain will shift as you move across the state, the character of the road remains largely predictable and fast-paced. You will spend most of your time focused on the highway, making this an excellent route for drivers who prefer a streamlined, no-fuss transit.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.8 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 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.7 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 24 significant decision points across 292.5 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 100.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 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 Jim Thorpe, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Washington - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 292.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $20.29 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 McMurray, 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 100.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McMurray, PA before the return drive.
