Parkesburg, PA to McMurray, PA is 265.1 miles and takes about 5h 27m via South Church Street, Octorara Trail, and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel than interstate travel. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
132.5 miles from Parkesburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
172.6 mi
3h 9m
PA 283
28.9 mi
34m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
Old Philadelphia Pike
7.2 mi
12m
Newport Road
5.3 mi
8m
Lincoln Highway
5.2 mi
8m
US 30
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 172.6 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parkesburg, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on PA 372
0.3 mi·1 min·West 1st Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 10
0.6 mi·1 min·South Church Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on PA 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Octorara Trail
4
Turn left onto US 30
4.7 mi·7 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
0.5 mi·1 min·Lincoln Highway
6
Turn right onto PA 772
5.3 mi·8 min·Newport Road
7
Continue on PA 340; PA 772
7.2 mi·12 min·Old Philadelphia Pike
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 30 West
9
Merge onto US 30
4.5 mi·6 min·US 30
10
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283
29 mi·34 min·PA 283
Toward PA 283 West: HarrisburgUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·31 sec
Toward I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, PittsburghUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 283
406 ft·1 min·I 283
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
173 mi·3 hr 9 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
15
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi·54 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New StantonUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
15 mi·20 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
18
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
19
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
20
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
22
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
23
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
24
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
25
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
26
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
27
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
29
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
30
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
31
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
32
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
33
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
34
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
35
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
36
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
37
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
38
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
39
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 27-minute drive time, departing in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the 265.1-mile journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, check local gas prices before you leave to confirm your budget. The route includes one recommended stop, which should be sufficient for a break. Pay attention to speed limits as you transition through different towns along the Lincoln Highway. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly if needed.
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 132.5 miles from Parkesburg, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.6 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 58 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.5 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
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 Parkesburg, 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 Parkesburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Parkesburg, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 172.6 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 257.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|PA 10 / South Church Street
Turn left onto PA 10 / South Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
24.9 mi into trip|~40m in|PA 283
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283 toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
7
227 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
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 I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
6
227.5 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, W...
6
257.5 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.30 one way
$92.60 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$50.69
$101.39
premium
$5.20
$54.23
$108.46
diesel
$6.28
$65.50
$131.01
Estimated Tolls: $22.99
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(172.6 mi)$22.43
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8 mi)$0.56
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
$46
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Parkesburg, PA
Night
in Parkesburg on Friday
Local time
10:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
McMurray, PA
Night
in McMurray on Friday
Local time
10:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
42°F
King, PA
133 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 27m 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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 182.8
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 45.7
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 210.2
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 164.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 265.1 miles. The drive consists of segments on South Church Street, Octorara Trail, and Lincoln Highway. Given the profile of mostly surface roads, anticipate frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you pass through towns and rural areas. The longest stretch without a defined stop is not specified, but plan for a continuous drive with minimal high-speed sections.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 283. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near PA 10 / South Church Street.
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 265.1 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: at 0.3 miles (PA 10 / South Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,317 ft332 ft
Total Climb
2,817 ft
Total Descent
2,342 ft
Highest Point
2,317 ft
~189.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,985 ft
Notable High Points
1,699 ft at ~132.5 miles+605 ft prominence
2,317 ft at ~189.3 miles+600 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Parkesburg, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Patp Toll: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Washington - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.99 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 18 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (PA 10 / South Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
