This 312.3-mile journey from Pen Argyl to McMurray, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and I-81, this route is heavily focused on highway driving. With a projected fuel cost of around $52, it's an efficient trip if you're looking to cover ground quickly. The drive is predominantly within Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward transit across the state. Consider this a solid option for a direct, no-fuss road trip.
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
156.2 miles from Pen Argyl, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
151.8 mi
2h 47m
William Penn Highway
43.1 mi
51m
I 81
36.6 mi
44m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
17.1 mi
23m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
PA 33
10.9 mi
12m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 151.8 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pen Argyl, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on PA 512
1.8 mi·3 min·East Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Continue on PA 512
0.5 mi·1 min·North Lehigh Avenue
3
Continue on PA 512
459 ft·20 sec·Park Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 512
1.3 mi·3 min·Broadway (Old Route 115)
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 33 South
6
Merge onto PA 33
11 mi·12 min·PA 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
17 mi·23 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 78; US 22
43 mi·51 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 1BToward I 81 South: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 81
37 mi·44 min·I 81
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 52Toward US 11: New Kingstown, MiddlesexUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
Toward US 11 SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
19
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.
20
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
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
22
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
23
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
24
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
26
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
27
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
28
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
29
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
30
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
33
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
34
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
35
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
36
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
37
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
38
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
39
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
40
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
41
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
42
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
43
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 24-minute duration, starting early from Pen Argyl is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While this route is feasible as a single-day trip, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially considering the longest stretch of 151.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as major service areas can be spaced out on the turnpike. The $52 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor in current prices. This route is straightforward, so you have flexibility in when you depart and how you pace your single planned stop.
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 156.2 miles from Pen Argyl, PA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.8 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 69 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.2 miles or 3h 13m 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 4m
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 Pen Argyl, 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 Pen Argyl, PA
This is one driving day of about 312.3 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Pen Argyl, 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 151.8 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 274.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.8 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
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 US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
8
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
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 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.78 one way
$103.55 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$56.71
$113.41
premium
$4.93
$60.57
$121.13
diesel
$5.61
$68.95
$137.90
Estimated Tolls: $21.49
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(151.8 mi)$19.73
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(17.1 mi)$1.20
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
$52
Tolls
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Efficient EV
78.1
0
$27.33
$12.49
EV Truck/SUV
124.9
1
$43.72
$19.99
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Pen Argyl, PA
Late night
in Pen Argyl on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McMurray, PA
Late night
in McMurray on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 15 to 20 mph54% chanceLive forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
156 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
10 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
6h 24m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 75.4
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 118.5
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 226.2
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...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 258.5
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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 204.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 72% of this 312.3-mile route. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will present the longest uninterrupted stretch at 151.8 miles, offering consistent speed and minimal distractions. While much of the drive is on major thoroughfares, there will be transitions between these high-speed sections and stretches of the William Penn Highway. The character of the road is largely about efficient travel, allowing you to maintain momentum for most of the 6-hour-plus duration.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
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 29 significant decision points across 312.3 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,080 ft361 ft
Total Climb
2,348 ft
Total Descent
2,175 ft
Highest Point
2,080 ft
~245.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,719 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pen Argyl, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Washington - among others.
Middlesex
120.5 mi in|~2h 31m
Patp
121.8 mi in|~2h 35m
Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg
274.3 mi in|~5h 24m|via I 70
Wheeling
274.3 mi in|~5h 24m|via I 70
New Stanton
274.3 mi in|~5h 24m|via I 70
Washington
274.7 mi in|~5h 25m|via I 70
Columbus
274.7 mi in|~5h 25m|via I 70
Fayette City
289.5 mi in|~5h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 312.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.49 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
