Middlesex, NC to McMurray, PA is 465.8 miles and takes about 9h 17m via I 95 and Mon/Fayette Expressway, with a fuel budget near $72 and a recommendation for 2 days. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of North Carolina up into the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. With a highway share of 59%, you'll spend a good portion of your time on major interstates before transitioning to surface roads. This route is best suited for those who prefer to break up longer drives and want a straightforward path north.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
232.9 miles from Middlesex, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
153.5 mi
2h 45m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
41.9 mi
45m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
32.9 mi
35m
National Freeway
29.2 mi
33m
National Pike
28.6 mi
38m
Warrenton Road
22.9 mi
33m
Oldtown Road
20.8 mi
23m
US 17
18.6 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 153.5 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,767 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,460
Quietest
2 AM
~300 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Middlesex, NC and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on NC 231
1.0 mi·1 min·North Nash Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
3
Merge onto US 264
9.4 mi·10 min·US 264
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 16BToward US 264 Alternate East: Wilson
5
Turn straight onto US 264 Alternate
1.5 mi·2 min·US 264 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
7
Merge onto I 95
106 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
42 mi·45 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, WilliamsburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 43AToward I 95 North: WashingtonUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95
46 mi·49 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 17 Business: Falmouth
13
Turn left onto US 17
23 mi·33 min·Warrenton Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Marsh Road
15
Turn right onto US 15; US 29
4.6 mi·6 min·James Madison Highway
16
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
2.4 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
2.3 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Toward US 17 North
18
Continue on US 17
6.7 mi·9 min·James Madison Highway
19
Continue on US 17
2.7 mi·3 min·Winchester Road
20
Turn left onto US 17
19 mi·20 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on I 66
9.6 mi·10 min·I 66
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 81 North: WinchesterUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 81
8.9 mi·9 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Winchester
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 310Toward VA 37 North: Romney, Berkeley SpringsUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto VA 37
6.9 mi·8 min·VA 37
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 522: Winchester, Berkeley Springs
27
Turn sharp left onto US 522
12 mi·17 min·North Frederick Pike
28
Turn left onto VA 127
9.8 mi·11 min·Bloomery Pike
29
Turn right onto CR 45/7
0.8 mi·54 sec·Gaston Road
30
At end of road, turn right onto WV 29
9.5 mi·10 min·Paw Paw Road
31
Continue on WV 9
1.2 mi·1 min·Henry W. Miller Highway
32
Continue on MD 51
21 mi·23 min·Oldtown Road
33
Continue on MD 51
0.9 mi·58 sec·New 51 Road Southeast
34
Continue on MD 51
0.8 mi·1 min·Uhl Highway Southeast
35
Continue on MD 51
2.7 mi·5 min·Industrial Boulevard
36
Keep slight right at fork onto Queen City Drive
462 ft·15 sec·Queen City Drive
37
Continue on South Centre Street
482 ft·21 sec·South Centre Street
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
39
Merge onto I 68; US 40; US 220
29 mi·33 min·National Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit onto US 40
0.7 mi·1 min·US 40
Toward US 40 West: Uniontown
41
Merge onto US 40
0.2 mi·20 sec·Garrett Highway
42
At end of road, turn left onto US 40
29 mi·38 min·National Pike
43
Take the exit onto US 40 Business
3.2 mi·5 min·US 40 Business
Toward US 40 Business: Uniontown
44
Turn right onto PA 51
1.1 mi·1 min·Pittsburgh Street
45
Continue on PA 51
0.5 mi·41 sec·Pittsburgh Road
46
Turn left onto Northgate Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Northgate Highway
47
Turn right onto Old Pittsburgh Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Old Pittsburgh Road
48
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
49
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
33 mi·35 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
50
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
51
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
52
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
53
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
54
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
55
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
56
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
57
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
58
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
59
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
60
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
61
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 17m estimated duration, planning for 2 days is wise. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. Consider splitting the drive roughly in half, perhaps stopping around the halfway point to rest. The fuel cost is estimated at $72, so keep this in mind for your budget. Pay attention to the transition from I 95 to the Mon/Fayette Expressway, as this is where the driving environment will change the most.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 232.9 miles from Middlesex, NC, or about 4h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 102 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 232.9 miles or 4h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 232.9 miles or 4h 22m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McMurray, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Middlesex, NC 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middlesex, NC
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into McMurray, PA
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Middlesex, NC.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 153.5 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.9 and 294.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, Williamsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 295 North: Washington, Norfolk, Willia...
7
160.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 43A
Toward I 95 North: Washington
6
256.6 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|US 17
Turn left onto US 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
284.7 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 North: Winchester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 North: Winchester
8
294.3 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward VA 37 North: Romney, Berkeley Springs
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 310
Toward VA 37 North: Romney, Berkeley Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.09 one way
$148.18 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg163 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$80.78
$161.56
premium
$4.78
$87.64
$175.28
diesel
$5.35
$98.11
$196.22
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
$74
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 163 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139.7
1
$48.91
$22.36
Efficient EV
116.5
1
$40.76
$18.63
EV Truck/SUV
186.3
2
$65.21
$29.81
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
54 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
Middlesex, NC
Afternoon
in Middlesex on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
McMurray, PA
Afternoon
in McMurray on Wednesday
Local time
2:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph0% 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 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
9h 17m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter 59% highway driving on this route. The longest stretch without a significant break is 153.5 miles on I 95. The Mon/Fayette Expressway, part of your route, will transition you from faster highway speeds to more local road conditions. Expect to navigate through areas with a higher density of exits as you make your way through populated corridors.
Only 59% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.9 miles in near I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
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 39 significant decision points across 465.8 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 118.9 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,822 ft85 ft
Total Climb
1,737 ft
Total Descent
997 ft
Highest Point
1,822 ft
~399.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,737 ft
Notable High Points
1,822 ft at ~399.3 miles+575 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Middlesex, NC and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Williamsburg and Berkeley Springs.
The longest stretch is about 153.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 233 miles on day one.
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 27 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 McMurray, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.9 miles (I 295 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.6 miles (US 17): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McMurray, PA before the return drive.
