Philadelphia to Blairsville is 262.2 miles and takes about 5 hours 23 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards another part of the Northeast. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a substantial highway share, this route is designed for covering distance without too many detours.
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
131.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181.2 mi
3h 16m
Schuylkill Expressway
16.8 mi
23m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Eichler Road
10.5 mi
15m
William Penn Highway
9.8 mi
13m
Harold Avenue
9.1 mi
14m
Quaker Valley Road
3.8 mi
5m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181.2 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Blairsville, PA.
1
Start on South Penn Square
397 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
2
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.2 mi·20 sec·John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley ForgeUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 676; US 30
1.0 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 30
16 mi·22 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, PottstownUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward Mall BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi·52 sec·Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 West: HarrisburgUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
19
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
21
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi·5 min·Quaker Valley Road
22
Continue on PA 56
10 mi·15 min·Eichler Road
23
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
24
Continue on PA 56
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
146 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
26
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
27
Continue on Bedford Street
3.2 mi·6 min·Bedford Street
28
Continue on PA 271
0.1 mi·24 sec·Clinton Street
29
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Washington Street
30
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 403
0.5 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
31
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
1.2 mi·3 min·Broad Street
32
At end of road, turn left onto Laurel Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Laurel Avenue
33
At end of road, turn right onto PA 56
0.3 mi·58 sec·Strayer Street
34
Continue on PA 56
9.1 mi·14 min·Harold Avenue
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 22 West: Blairsville
36
Merge onto US 22
9.8 mi·13 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward US 119 North: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn left onto Old William Penn Highway
1.9 mi·3 min·Old William Penn Highway
Toward US 22 East: EbensburgUse the straight lane.
39
Continue on East Market Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Market Street
40
Turn right
58 ft·4 sec
41
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour-plus drive, consider leaving Philadelphia in the morning to allow for a full day and avoid heavy city traffic. Since the route is highway-focused and can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility in pacing your stops. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is your main artery for most of the trip, so be mindful of potential tolls and service plazas for fuel or rest breaks. Given the longest stretch is over 180 miles, planning your fuel stop before entering that long segment is a practical tip to ensure you don't have to worry about finding services.
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 131.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.2 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.1 miles or 2h 30m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blairsville, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 262.2 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Philadelphia, 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 181.2 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 0.1 and 19 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 611 / East Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
18.4 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
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 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
18.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
18.8 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
7
19 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.47 one way
$86.94 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.61
$95.22
premium
$4.93
$50.85
$101.70
diesel
$5.61
$57.89
$115.78
Estimated Tolls: $23.56
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181.2 mi)$23.56
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
$43
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.7
0
$27.53
$12.59
Efficient EV
65.6
0
$22.94
$10.49
EV Truck/SUV
104.9
1
$36.71
$16.78
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Blairsville, PA
Morning
in Blairsville on Sunday
Local time
10:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
131 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
4 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
5h 23m 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.
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 117.5
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 235.1
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 226
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the route utilizing major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Schuylkill Expressway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 181.2 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads, Clear Shade Drive offers a change of pace, suggesting a transition to more local or potentially scenic byways as you near your destination. Expect a steady rhythm of highway travel for most of the 5-hour-plus journey.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Schuylkill Expressway. 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 PA 611 / East Penn Square.
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 262.2 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 (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 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.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Blairsville, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 262.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.56 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 Blairsville, 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 (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Blairsville, PA before the return drive.
