McMurray, PA to Vernon, PA is 283.8 miles and takes about 6h 29m via William Penn Highway and I 99, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and surface roads, offering a fairly straightforward path. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion for most.
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
141.9 miles from McMurray, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
Keystone Shortway
51.1 mi
55m
East Water Street
42.2 mi
1h 8m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.7 mi
20m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
I 180
12.4 mi
13m
Tunkhannock Highway
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 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 McMurray, PA and Vernon, 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
51 mi·55 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 212BToward I 180 West: Williamsport
24
Continue on I 180
12 mi·13 min·I 180
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward PA 405: Muncy, Hughesville
26
Turn right onto PA 405
0.6 mi·59 sec·PA 405
27
Turn left onto PA 405
2.8 mi·5 min·PA 405
28
Turn right onto PA 118
42 mi·1 hr 8 min·East Water Street
29
At end of road, turn left onto PA 415
374 ft·17 sec·Memorial Highway
30
Turn right onto Joe-Pag Lane
483 ft·25 sec·Joe-Pag Lane
31
Turn right onto Country Club Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Country Club Road
32
Merge onto PA 309
4.1 mi·6 min·Tunkhannock Highway
33
Turn right onto Graveyard Hill Road
3.7 mi·9 min·Graveyard Hill Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto PA 292
470 ft·10 sec·PA 292
35
Turn right onto School House Road
48 ft·1 sec·School House Road
36
Arrive at destination
School House Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 29m drive, aim for an early morning departure from McMurray to maximize daylight. The route has one recommended stop, but with a total distance under 300 miles, you can easily adjust your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition onto surface roads where stations might be less frequent. Since the longest stretch on a surface road is over 60 miles, ensure you have a comfortable fuel level before heading out on William Penn Highway.
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 141.9 miles from McMurray, PA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 62 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.9 miles or 3h 16m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 283.8 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.6 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 28
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
$50.19 one way
$100.38 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$54.97
$109.94
premium
$5.24
$58.59
$117.18
diesel
$5.35
$59.78
$119.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.1
1
$29.80
$13.62
Efficient EV
71
0
$24.83
$11.35
EV Truck/SUV
113.5
1
$39.73
$18.16
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
McMurray, PA
Afternoon
in McMurray on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Vernon, PA
Afternoon
in Vernon on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
NW 3 mph5% 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
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
6h 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 78.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 78.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 283.8-mile drive is 32% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a surface road is 61.6 miles on William Penn Highway, so expect some slower travel and more frequent intersections. You'll transition from highway to surface roads and back, so be prepared for varying speeds and traffic patterns.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
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 28 significant decision points across 283.8 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
1,988 ft684 ft
Total Climb
2,086 ft
Total Descent
2,010 ft
Highest Point
1,988 ft
~81.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,304 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 Vernon, PA, road signs point toward Bedford and Hughesville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 283.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 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 61.6 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 Vernon, 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 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernon, PA before the return drive.
