Origin
Oil City, PA
Late night in Oil City on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oil City, 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
2h 5m
Distance
98.1 mi
158 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oil City, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Penn Hills, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Oil City to Penn Hills is 98.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 5 minutes via I 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily travels within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that blends interstate travel with highway cruising, making it a straightforward journey. It's a manageable distance, ideal for a single-day trip without feeling overly rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from Oil City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 37.3 mi | 40m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 19 mi | 20m |
| Richard Frame Memorial Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Keystone Shortway | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| Allegheny Boulevard | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Pittsburgh Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| 15th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Allegheny River Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 37.3 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oil City, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on Spring Street
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
Spring Street
2
Turn left onto Center Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Center Street
Use the straight lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto PA 8
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 62; PA 8
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Allegheny Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Street
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 62; PA 8
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
15th Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on PA 8
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on PA 8
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Richard Frame Memorial Highway
9
Continue on PA 8
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh
13
Merge onto I 79
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 78-77
Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 77
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
18
Merge onto I 76; PATP
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward New Kensington, Pittsburgh
21
Continue on Freeport Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Freeport Road
22
Turn left onto Yellow Belt
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Hulton Bridge
23
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Hulton Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn right onto Allegheny River Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Allegheny River Boulevard
25
Turn left onto Wildwood Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wildwood Avenue
26
Turn right onto Mount Avenue
519 ft
·
24 sec
·
Mount Avenue
27
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft
·
5 sec
·
Sylvan Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours 5 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic in both your origin and destination areas. You won't need extensive stops for this 98.1-mile journey, but there are opportunities along the way if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $16 estimated cost suggests standard fueling practices will suffice. Make sure to check for any potential construction or delays on I 79 before you depart.
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 49.1 miles from Oil City, PA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 22 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 4m 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 40m
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 Oil City, 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 Oil City, PA
This is one driving day of about 98.1 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Oil City, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Oil City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 93.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Center Street
Turn left onto Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
72.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
73.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
93.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m 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
$16.26 one way
$32.53 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.81 | $35.62 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.03 | $38.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.66 | $43.32 |
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
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 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 | 29.4 | 0 | $10.30 | $4.71 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
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.
Destination
Penn Hills, PA
Late night in Penn Hills on Sunday
Local time
12:51 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
29 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
2h 5m 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 route offers a mixed drive experience, with 57% on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 79, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.3 miles. Following that, you'll transition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Richard Frame Memorial Highway, which may offer a different driving dynamic. The road's character shifts as you progress, moving from potentially faster interstate speeds to other major roadways.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 early in the drive near Center Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 98.1 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: near the start (Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oil City, PA and Penn Hills, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.
Cranberry
72.4 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
72.4 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Youngstown Ohio
73 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Harrisburg
73 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Patp: Youngstown Ohio
73.8 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 98.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 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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