McMurray, PA to Hellertown, PA is 293.1 miles and takes about 6h 3m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained turnpikes and major roads, so it's a practical choice if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
146.6 miles from McMurray, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
152 mi
2h 47m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
I 78
15.3 mi
19m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
6 mi
8m
Hayden Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 152 mi, about 2h 47m
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 McMurray, PA and Hellertown, PA.
1
Start on Thomas Road
52 ft·4 sec·Thomas Road
2
Turn right onto East McMurray Road
304 ft·8 sec·East McMurray Road
3
Turn right onto Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
4
Enter roundabout onto Bebout Road
35 ft·1 sec·Bebout Road
5
Continue on Bebout Road
2.9 mi·7 min·Bebout Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
7
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
8
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Washington Avenue
9
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Washington Avenue
10
Continue on Finleyville Elrama Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
11
Turn left onto PA 837
2.3 mi·4 min·PA 837
12
Take the ramp
362 ft·10 sec
13
Merge onto PA 51
5.1 mi·8 min·Hayden Boulevard
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
15
Turn left onto PA 136
320 ft·6 sec·Rainbow Run Road
16
Continue on PA 136
4.8 mi·7 min·West Newton Road
17
Continue on PA 136
3.6 mi·6 min·Mount Pleasant Road
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
19
Merge onto I 70
6.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Take the exit onto I 70
0.5 mi·1 min·I 70
Exit 58Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
22
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
27
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
31
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
35
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
36
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
15 mi·19 min·I 78
Toward I 78 East: New JerseyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 67Toward PA 412: Hellertown, BethlehemUse the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·31 sec·this road
Exit 67Toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
40
At end of road, turn left onto PA 412
373 ft·17 sec·Hellertown Road
41
Continue on PA 412
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Arrive at destination
PA 412
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 3m estimated drive time, leaving McMurray, PA in the morning should allow you to reach Hellertown, PA before evening. The longest stretch without a major break is 152 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan a fuel and rest stop accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, keeping an eye on your gas gauge is advisable, especially before entering longer highway segments. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions.
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 146.6 miles from McMurray, PA, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.6 miles or 3h 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 4h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hellertown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from McMurray, PA
This is one driving day of about 293.1 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from McMurray, 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 152 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 33 and 291.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
33 mi into trip|~58m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
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 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
7
185.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
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 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
7
186.8 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
7
276.3 mi into trip|~5h 39m in|I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 toward I 78 East: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 78 East: New Jersey
8
291.6 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Take the exit toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.83 one way
$103.67 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$56.77
$113.55
premium
$5.24
$60.51
$121.02
diesel
$5.35
$61.74
$123.47
Estimated Tolls: $19.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(152 mi)$19.76
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
$52
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.78
$14.07
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.03
$18.76
Gas CO2
103 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 May 9, 2026
Origin
McMurray, PA
Afternoon
in McMurray on Wednesday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 14 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hellertown, PA
Afternoon
in Hellertown on Wednesday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Rain Showers
SW 10 mph96% 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
4 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
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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 232.5
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 181.9
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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 80.9
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
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 50.5
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 101.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 62% of the driving on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 152 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to other main roads like William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway. Expect a significant amount of highway driving with frequent exits and merges as you navigate the turnpike system.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33 miles in near I 70.
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 26 significant decision points across 293.1 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 33 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,136 ft284 ft
Total Climb
1,949 ft
Total Descent
2,668 ft
Highest Point
2,136 ft
~83.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,852 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McMurray, PA and Hellertown, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Marysville.
Hellertown is a borough in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Smaller than the region's main municipalities, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Hellertown is located south of South Bethlehem. The two municipalities are separated by South Mountain, making Hellertown the perfect place to stay for visitors who want to be slightly removed from the city atmosphere.
Hellertown lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 13 miles (21 km) west of the Skylands and New Jersey state line, 57 miles (92 km) north of Philadelphia, and 82 miles (132 km) west of New York City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 293.1 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 152 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.76 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 Hellertown, 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 33 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 Hellertown, PA before the return drive.
