McMurray, PA to Old Forge, PA is 191.3 miles and takes about 4h 5m via National Freeway and Mon/Fayette Expressway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward drive. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on main arteries designed for efficient travel, so you can expect a focused drive without too many 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
95.6 miles from McMurray, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
National Freeway
67.2 mi
1h 14m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
32.9 mi
35m
US 40 Business
29.2 mi
39m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20.9 mi
22m
Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
5.3 mi
6m
Old Forge Road
4.8 mi
10m
Ringgold Pike
4.6 mi
8m
Leitersburg Pike
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
National Freeway
— 67.2 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-68
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~983 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,330
Quietest
2 AM
~84 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
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 Old Forge, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
33 mi·35 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 15Toward US 40: Northgate Highway
14
Turn right onto Old Pittsburgh Road
346 ft·13 sec·Old Pittsburgh Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto Northgate Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Northgate Highway
16
Turn right onto PA 51
0.5 mi·35 sec·Pittsburgh Road
17
Continue on PA 51
1.0 mi·1 min·Pittsburgh Street
18
Continue on PA 51
0.1 mi·23 sec·Morgantown Street
19
Turn left onto US 40 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Fayette Street
20
Turn straight onto US 40 Business
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Main Street
21
Continue on US 40 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·National Pike
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 40 Business
29 mi·39 min·US 40 Business
23
Take the exit
261 ft·8 sec
24
Merge onto US 40
0.3 mi·23 sec·Garrett Highway
25
Take the exit onto US 40
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 40
Toward I 68 East, US 40 East, US 219 North: Cumberland
26
Merge onto I 68; US 40
67 mi·1 hr 14 min·National Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 70; US 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
28
Continue on I 70; US 40
3.3 mi·3 min·I 70, US 40 (Dwight D Eisenhower Highway)
29
Continue on I 70
16 mi·17 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 26Toward I 81: Roanoke, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hagerstown, Harrisburg
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 26BToward I 81 North: Hagerstown, HarrisburgUse the right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
34
Merge onto I 81
5.3 mi·6 min·Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 9Toward Maugans AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Maugans Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Maugans Avenue
37
Continue on Longmeadow Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Longmeadow Road
38
Turn left onto MD 60
3.0 mi·4 min·Leitersburg Pike
39
Continue on MD 60
0.5 mi·44 sec·Leitersburg Pike
40
Turn right onto MD 418
4.6 mi·8 min·Ringgold Pike
41
Continue on Midvale Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Midvale Road
42
Turn left onto PA 16
0.1 mi·17 sec·Buchanan Trail East
Use the left lane.
43
Turn right onto Old Forge Road
4.8 mi·10 min·Old Forge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Arrive at destination
Old Forge Road
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time to arrive by afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete the route in a single day. Factor in the estimated $31 fuel cost for your budgeting. Since the longest stretch without a significant break is 67.2 miles on the National Freeway, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before you begin that segment. This route is manageable enough that you can be flexible with your departure time.
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 95.6 miles from McMurray, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 42 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.6 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Forge, 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 191.3 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 National Freeway for about 67.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 167.2 and 186.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
167.2 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 81: Roanoke, 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.
Exit 26
Toward I 81: Roanoke, Harrisburg
7
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 North: Hagerstown, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81 North: Hagerstown, Harrisburg
9
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 North: Hagerstown, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 26B
Toward I 81 North: Hagerstown, Harrisburg
7
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward Maugans Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward Maugans Avenue
6
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|PA 16 / Buchanan Trail East
Turn left onto PA 16 / Buchanan Trail East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.50 one way
$61.01 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$33.76
$67.51
premium
$4.81
$36.21
$72.42
diesel
$4.80
$36.12
$72.24
Estimated Tolls: $2.30
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(32.9 mi)$2.30
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
$31
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.4
0
$20.09
$9.18
Efficient EV
47.8
0
$16.74
$7.65
EV Truck/SUV
76.5
0
$26.78
$12.24
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 19, 2026
Origin
McMurray, PA
Late night
in McMurray on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 6 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:02PM EDT until July 19 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:01PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Old Forge, PA
Late night
in Old Forge on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:02PM EDT until July 19 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:01PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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 5m 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.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 92.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 69% of the 191.3 miles on freeways. You’ll encounter a long stretch of 67.2 miles on the National Freeway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a significant amount of time on higher-speed roads, with a clear shift from freeway cruising to more local surface roads as you near your destination.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on National Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on National Freeway and Mon/Fayette Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.2 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 25 significant decision points across 191.3 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 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,249 ft423 ft
Total Climb
2,231 ft
Total Descent
2,332 ft
Highest Point
2,249 ft
~82 mi in
Elevation Range
1,826 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 Old Forge, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 191.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.2 miles on National Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.30 in tolls one way, starting with Mon/Fayette Expressway. 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 10 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 Old Forge, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Old Forge, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
