Lewisburg, PA to McMurray, PA is 218 miles and takes about 4h 48m via William Penn Highway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing mostly surface roads with a relatively short portion on the interstate. With just one recommended stop and a 61.2-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, it's a manageable one-day trip. Consider this route if you prefer a less highway-intensive experience and don't mind a bit more time on local roads.
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
109 miles from Lewisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
Keystone Shortway
48.9 mi
52m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
Westbranch Highway
5.3 mi
7m
McMurray Road
3.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,109 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,510
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Lewisburg, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on PA 45
109 ft·5 sec·Market Street
2
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Saint Anthony Street
0.3 mi·57 sec·Saint Anthony Street
4
Continue on River Road
0.8 mi·1 min·River Road
5
Turn right onto US 15
5.3 mi·7 min·Westbranch Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·58 sec
Toward I 80 West: BellefonteUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
49 mi·52 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
10
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
34 mi·36 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
14
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
15
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
23
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
24
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
25
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
26
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
27
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
3.0 mi·6 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn slight right onto Milford Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Milford Drive
29
Turn left onto Hillcrest Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hillcrest Street
30
Continue on Bethel Church Road
365 ft·12 sec·Bethel Church Road
31
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Church Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Bethel Church Road
32
Turn left onto Bethel Church Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bethel Church Road
33
At end of road, turn left onto Orange Belt
3.9 mi·8 min·McMurray Road
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
35
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 48-minute drive, aim to depart Lewisburg in the morning to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can decide on the fly where to take a break, or push through if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before longer stretches on the William Penn Highway. Since this is a single-day trip, starting early gives you the advantage of arriving in McMurray with plenty of daylight left.
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 109 miles from Lewisburg, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 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 41m
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 Lewisburg, 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 Lewisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 218 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Lewisburg, 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 202.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|US 15 / Westbranch Highway
Turn right onto US 15 / Westbranch Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
6.7 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
6
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
8
190.6 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
202.5 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73A
Toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.76 one way
$69.52 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$38.47
$76.94
premium
$4.81
$41.27
$82.53
diesel
$4.80
$41.16
$82.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Lewisburg, PA
Night
in Lewisburg on Monday
Local time
10:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:53PM EDT until July 18 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:50PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
McMurray, PA
Night
in McMurray on Monday
Local time
10:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph75% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:53PM EDT until July 18 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:50PM EDT by NWS State College PA
64°F
Oil City, PA
109 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 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 48m 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.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 135.3
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, making up 79% of the total distance. You'll spend a significant portion cruising along the William Penn Highway, including a continuous 61.2-mile segment. The Keystone Shortway and I-99 account for 21% of the drive, offering a change of pace before you transition back to local routes. Expect a consistent pace on the surface roads with fewer exits compared to a full interstate experience.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 15 / Westbranch 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 23 significant decision points across 218 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 1.3 miles (US 15 / Westbranch Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,277 ft470 ft
Total Climb
2,973 ft
Total Descent
2,440 ft
Highest Point
2,277 ft
~124.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,807 ft
Notable High Points
1,660 ft at ~31.1 miles+638 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lewisburg, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (US 15 / Westbranch Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at McMurray, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
