McMurray, PA to Damascus, PA is 346.3 miles and takes about 7h 29m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. It's a solid day trip for those looking to cover a good amount of ground within the state. Plan for approximately 34% of your travel to be on highways, making it an efficient, though not entirely freeway, transit.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.2 miles from McMurray, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
34.7 mi
42m
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
15.4 mi
18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.7 mi
20m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Roosevelt Highway
11.3 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,145 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,582
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 McMurray, PA and Damascus, PA.
1
Start on Thomas Road
52 ft·4 sec·Thomas Road
2
Turn right onto East McMurray Road
1.9 mi·4 min·East McMurray Road
3
Continue on McMurray Road
2.4 mi·5 min·McMurray Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·22 sec
5
Turn straight onto US 19
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 19; Yellow Belt
1.8 mi·3 min·Cochran Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto PA 121
2.3 mi·4 min·Greentree Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 376 East: Pittsburgh
9
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
2.3 mi·3 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30
15 mi·20 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 East: MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
19
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
22
Merge onto I 81
35 mi·42 min·I 81
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I-84 east, US 6 east
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward US 6 East: Carbondale
26
Continue on US 6
15 mi·18 min·Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 6
11 mi·20 min·Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi·2 min·West Park Street
29
Turn left onto PA 191
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on PA 191
0.7 mi·1 min·Fair Avenue
31
Continue on PA 191
9.2 mi·13 min·Hancock Highway
32
Turn right onto PA 371
9.0 mi·15 min·Cochecton Turnpike
33
Turn right onto River Road
130 ft·5 sec·River Road
34
Arrive at destination
River Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 29m drive, consider an early morning start from McMurray, PA, to ensure you arrive in Damascus, PA, with daylight to spare. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 346.3 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $62; it's wise to top off before embarking on longer stretches, particularly the 99.3-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could certainly break it into two days.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.2 miles from McMurray, PA, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 76 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.2 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Damascus, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McMurray, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from McMurray, PA
This is one driving day of about 346.3 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from McMurray, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 99.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 163.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.5 mi into trip|~29m in|I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 East: Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
6
105 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
6
146.8 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
150.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
163.1 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.24 one way
$122.49 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$67.08
$134.16
premium
$5.24
$71.50
$142.99
diesel
$5.35
$72.94
$145.88
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Cochecton Turnpike
(9 mi)$0.63
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
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.9
1
$36.36
$16.62
Efficient EV
86.6
0
$30.30
$13.85
EV Truck/SUV
138.5
1
$48.48
$22.16
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
McMurray, PA
Afternoon
in McMurray on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Damascus, PA
Afternoon
in Damascus on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
NW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
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
7h 29m 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.
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
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 83.6
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 71.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this 346.3-mile route is on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mixed driving experience, with moments of faster highway travel giving way to more measured speeds on roads like the William Penn Highway. The change from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you encounter more local traffic and intersections.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.5 miles in near I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.
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 22 significant decision points across 346.3 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 14.5 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,076 ft606 ft
Total Climb
2,577 ft
Total Descent
2,842 ft
Highest Point
2,076 ft
~99 mi in
Elevation Range
1,470 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from McMurray, PA to Damascus, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 346.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 in tolls one way, starting with Cochecton 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 Damascus, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Damascus, PA before the return drive.
