Penn Hills, PA to Spring Garden, PA is 202.3 miles and takes about 4h 12m via Keystone Shortway and PA 286, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable drive for a single day trip, letting you reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
101.2 miles from Penn Hills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
89.7 mi
1h 36m
PA 286
27.7 mi
32m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
PA 56
8.7 mi
13m
Sheridan Road
8.2 mi
12m
Saltsburg Road
7.6 mi
14m
Fairview Drive
6 mi
8m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
4.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Penn Hills, PA and Spring Garden, PA.
1
Start on Sylvan Avenue
134 ft·11 sec·Sylvan Avenue
2
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft·28 sec·Mount Avenue
3
Turn left onto Verona Road
252 ft·7 sec·Verona Road
4
Turn right onto Second Avenue
248 ft·8 sec·Second Avenue
5
Turn right onto Shannon Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Shannon Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Hamil Road
211 ft·6 sec·Hamil Road
7
Turn right onto Yellow Belt
0.4 mi·44 sec·Hulton Road
8
Turn left onto PA 380
3.6 mi·7 min·Saltsburg Road
9
Continue on PA 380; Orange Belt
4.0 mi·7 min·Saltsburg Road
10
Turn left onto PA 380
0.2 mi·17 sec·Golden Mile Highway
11
Continue on PA 380
6.0 mi·8 min·Fairview Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 66: Apollo, Greensburg
13
Turn right onto PA 66
0.2 mi·25 sec·Sheridan Road
14
Merge onto PA 66
1.5 mi·2 min·State Route 66
15
Take the exit
424 ft·8 sec
16
Merge onto PA 66
2.2 mi·3 min·State Route 66
17
Continue on PA 66
7.9 mi·11 min·Sheridan Road
18
Continue on PA 56; PA 156
8.7 mi·13 min·PA 56; PA 156
19
Turn right onto US 422; PA 56
4.9 mi·7 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 422 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·US 422 Business
Toward Philadelphia StreetUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on Philadelphia Street
0.5 mi·47 sec·Philadelphia Street
22
Continue on West Pike Road
0.2 mi·15 sec·West Pike Road
23
Continue on Philadelphia Street
2.4 mi·3 min·Philadelphia Street
24
Take the exit onto PA 286
28 mi·32 min·PA 286
Toward PA 286 East: Clymer
25
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
26
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
27
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
28
Continue on US 219; PA 36
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Main Street
29
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
30
Continue on US 219
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
31
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
32
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
33
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
34
Continue on PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
35
Turn right onto PA 879
4.2 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
37
Merge onto I 80
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·Keystone Shortway
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 210A-BToward US 15: Williamsport, Lewisburg
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·44 sec
Exit 210BToward US 15 North: Williamsport
41
Merge onto US 15
2.9 mi·3 min·Westbranch Highway
42
Continue on US 15
1.4 mi·2 min·US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
43
Turn left onto PA 44
1.7 mi·2 min·PA 44
Use the left lane.
44
Arrive at destination
PA 44
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, leaving Penn Hills in the morning should allow ample time to reach Spring Garden before evening. The route has only one designated stop, but with most of the drive on surface roads, you'll have flexibility to pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $34 budget is based on the total distance. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is nearly 90 miles, so plan to refuel before hitting that segment if you're starting with a low tank. This drive is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you can depart at your leisure.
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 101.2 miles from Penn Hills, PA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 45 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Garden, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Penn Hills, 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 Penn Hills, PA
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Penn Hills, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 89.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 200.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Verona Road
Turn left onto Verona Road
Navigation decision point
6
41.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 422 Business
Take the exit onto US 422 Business toward Philadelphia Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Philadelphia Street
6
195.5 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Williamsport, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A-B
Toward US 15: Williamsport, Lewisburg
6
196.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 15 North: Williamsport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 210B
Toward US 15 North: Williamsport
5
200.6 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|PA 44
Turn left onto PA 44
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.80 one way
$67.60 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$37.20
$74.40
premium
$5.01
$39.92
$79.84
diesel
$5.60
$44.59
$89.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.70
$8.09
EV Truck/SUV
80.9
1
$28.32
$12.95
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Penn Hills, PA
Late night
in Penn Hills on Friday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spring Garden, PA
Late night
in Spring Garden on Friday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
3 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
4h 12m 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.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 55.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only about 22% of the drive on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 89.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to local roads like PA 286. Prepare for more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you move away from the highway segments. This means you'll be navigating more typical suburban and rural driving conditions for a significant portion of the trip.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.1 miles in near Verona Road.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 202.3 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 422 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,789 ft480 ft
Total Climb
2,117 ft
Total Descent
2,574 ft
Highest Point
1,789 ft
~173.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,309 ft
Notable High Points
1,789 ft at ~173.4 miles+812 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Penn Hills, PA to Spring Garden, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Greensburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Spring Garden, 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles (US 422 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Spring Garden, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
