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Trip from Meadville, PA to Penn Hills, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

96.5 mi

155 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Meadville, PA, PA

Meadville, PA

Jack Pace

home rule municipality of Pennsylvania

Penn Hills, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Meadville, PA to Penn Hills, PA is 96.5 miles and takes about 1h 55m via I 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically Pennsylvania, making it a convenient local trip. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a straightforward journey focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, offering a quick connection between these two Pennsylvania locations. Given its short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.2 miles from Meadville, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 79 67.8 mi 1h 12m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 19 mi 20m
Allegheny River Boulevard 1.5 mi 3m
Freeport Road 1.4 mi 2m
Smock Highway 1 mi 1m
Park Avenue 0.8 mi 2m
Conneaut Lake Road 0.8 mi 1m
Wildwood Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 79 — 67.8 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Meadville, PA and Penn Hills, PA.

1

Start on Park Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Park Avenue
2

Turn right onto US 322

252 ft · 7 sec · Linden Street
Use the right lane.
3

Turn left onto US 6; US 19; US 322

0.1 mi · 21 sec · French Creek Parkway
4

Continue on US 6; US 19; US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · Smock Highway
5

Continue on US 6; US 19; US 322

0.8 mi · 1 min · Conneaut Lake Road
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto I 79

68 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
12

Merge onto I 76; PATP

19 mi · 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward New Kensington, Pittsburgh
15

Continue on Freeport Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Freeport Road
16

Turn left onto Yellow Belt

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Hulton Bridge
17

Continue on Yellow Belt

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Hulton Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Turn right onto Allegheny River Boulevard

1.5 mi · 3 min · Allegheny River Boulevard
19

Turn left onto Wildwood Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wildwood Avenue
20

Turn right onto Mount Avenue

519 ft · 24 sec · Mount Avenue
21

Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue

134 ft · 5 sec · Sylvan Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Sylvan Avenue

Trip Plan

With a drive time of under two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $16, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You could easily depart in the morning and arrive well before lunchtime, or even make it a quick afternoon excursion. Given the highway-centric nature, fuel and rest stops are readily available along I 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For this shorter trip, consider leaving a bit later in the day to avoid morning rush hour traffic around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, where Penn Hills is located.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.2 miles from Meadville, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 21 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.2 miles or 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 31m

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 Meadville, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Meadville, PA

This is one driving day of about 96.5 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Meadville, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 67.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in counties Lawrence, and Beaver, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellwood City, PA

48 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Mercer, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Sewickley, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.2 miles from Meadville, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 96.5

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14129680848

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2 mi

Eat'n Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2.4 mi

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 96.5

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14129680848

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 89.6

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14128269680

Visit website

Eat'n Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.5

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+14122423700

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Mohan's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.5

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14127933121

Visit website

Hartwood Restaurant & Whispers Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 89.6

Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+14127673500

Visit website

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.7

Hadley, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17242532208

Visit website

Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 96.5

Aspinwall, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14124083420

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.4 mi from route

Oakmont Plum Service Plaza

1.4 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 91.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.7 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh
8
70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike

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 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
71.3 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
9
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
7
91.9 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward PA 28: New Kensington, 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. Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.00 one way

$32.00 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $17.52 $35.04
premium $4.93 $18.71 $37.43
diesel $5.61 $21.31 $42.61

Estimated Tolls: $2.47

Pennsylvania Turnpike (19 mi) $2.47

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

$16

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29 0 $10.13 $4.63
Efficient EV 24.1 0 $8.44 $3.86
EV Truck/SUV 38.6 0 $13.51 $6.18

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Meadville, PA

Morning in Meadville on Sunday

Local time

6:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Penn Hills, PA

Morning in Penn Hills on Sunday

Local time

6:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live 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

9 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

1h 55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates and turnpikes. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 79, including a continuous stretch of 67.8 miles. The Pennsylvania Turnpike and Allegheny River Boulevard also contribute to the highway nature of this journey. Expect a smooth, high-speed experience for most of the 1 hour and 55 minutes, allowing for consistent progress towards your destination.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.8 mi on I 79.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Meadville, PA and Penn Hills, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.

Cranberry

70.8 mi in | ~1h 19m

Pennsylvania Turnpike

70.8 mi in | ~1h 19m

Youngstown Ohio

71.3 mi in | ~1h 20m

Harrisburg

71.3 mi in | ~1h 20m

Patp: Youngstown Ohio

72.1 mi in | ~1h 22m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 96.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.47 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 9 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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Penn Hills, PA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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