Lower Saucon, PA to Penn Hills, PA is 290.2 miles and takes about 5h 44m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to itself. With 96% of the trip on major highways, it’s a straightforward journey designed for efficient travel. Plan for a single day to cover the distance, as the estimated duration suggests it’s manageable before sunset. This route is a good option if you're looking to cover ground quickly between these two points.
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
145.1 miles from Lower Saucon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
170.5 mi
3h 7m
I 78
65.6 mi
1h 19m
I 81
36.6 mi
44m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
4.6 mi
6m
Easton Road
2.9 mi
4m
Verona Road
2.1 mi
5m
Beulah Road
1.2 mi
1m
Coal Hollow Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 170.5 mi, about 3h 7m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,785 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~380 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
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 Lower Saucon, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on Lower Saucon Road
77 ft·2 sec·Lower Saucon Road
2
Turn right onto Easton Road
2.9 mi·4 min·Easton Road
3
Turn slight right onto Cherry Lane
0.5 mi·58 sec·Cherry Lane
4
Turn slight right onto PA 412
0.3 mi·35 sec·Hellertown Road
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I-78 West
6
Merge onto I 78
12 mi·15 min·I 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 78
Toward I 78 West: HarrisburgUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 1BToward I 81 South: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 81
37 mi·44 min·I 81
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 52Toward US 11: New Kingstown, MiddlesexUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
Toward US 11 SouthUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
171 mi·3 hr 7 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
18
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
19
Merge onto I 376; US 22
4.6 mi·6 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 79BToward PA 130: ChurchillUse the slight left lane.
21
Turn right onto PA 130
1.2 mi·1 min·Beulah Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Coal Hollow Road
23
Continue on PA 130
1.0 mi·1 min·Coal Hollow Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Verona Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Verona Road
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on Verona Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Verona Road
26
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft·24 sec·Mount Avenue
27
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft·5 sec·Sylvan Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 44m drive, consider an early morning departure from Lower Saucon, PA, to maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 170.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer segments, and utilize the numerous service plazas available along the Turnpike. The $48 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 145.1 miles from Lower Saucon, PA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.5 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 56m 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 38m
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 Lower Saucon, 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 Lower Saucon, PA
This is one driving day of about 290.2 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Lower Saucon, 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 170.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.5 and 279.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.5 mi into trip|~23m in|I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 toward I 78 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 78 West: Harrisburg
8
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
108.8 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
8
279.6 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$46.27 one way
$92.54 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$51.21
$102.42
premium
$4.81
$54.93
$109.86
diesel
$4.80
$54.80
$109.59
Estimated Tolls: $22.17
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(170.5 mi)$22.17
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
$46
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.47
$13.93
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.39
$11.61
EV Truck/SUV
116.1
1
$40.63
$18.57
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lower Saucon, PA
Morning
in Lower Saucon on Sunday
Local time
11:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Penn Hills, PA
Morning
in Penn Hills on Sunday
Local time
11:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SE 1 to 5 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
145 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
4 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
5h 44m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 110.1
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 220.1
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 200.1
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 250.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major interstates. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be your primary companion for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 170.5 miles. This means you'll experience consistent highway speeds and minimal local road detours. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over varied scenery. It’s a route built for making miles efficiently, largely on well-maintained toll roads and interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.5 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 78. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in near I 78.
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 21 significant decision points across 290.2 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 16.5 miles (I 78): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,188 ft341 ft
Total Climb
2,551 ft
Total Descent
1,955 ft
Highest Point
2,188 ft
~228 mi in
Elevation Range
1,846 ft
Notable High Points
1,615 ft at ~165.8 miles+581 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lower Saucon, PA and Penn Hills, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 290.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.17 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 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (I 78): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penn Hills, PA before the return drive.
