Phoenixville, PA to McMurray, PA is 289.5 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to its western part. With 93% of the trip on highways, expect a pretty direct and efficient route. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Consider this a straightforward path across the state.
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
144.8 miles from Phoenixville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
245.3 mi
4h 27m
I 70
15.2 mi
21m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8 mi
8m
State Road
3.6 mi
6m
Bebout Road
2.9 mi
6m
Monogahela Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Venetia Road
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 245.3 mi, about 4h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenixville, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto PA 29
0.5 mi·49 sec·South Main Street
3
Continue on PA 29
3.6 mi·6 min·State Road
4
Turn left onto PA 29
0.6 mi·1 min·North Morehall Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, HarrisburgUse the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: HarrisburgUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 76; PATP
245 mi·4 hr 27 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward PA 201, PA 837: Donora, Fayette City
11
Turn slight right onto PA 201
440 ft·7 sec·Rostraver Road
12
Turn slight left onto Vance Deicas Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Vance Deicas Highway
13
Continue on Donora-Monessen Bridge
0.4 mi·34 sec·Donora-Monessen Bridge
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
15
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·McKean Avenue
16
Turn left onto PA 837
1.8 mi·2 min·Monogahela Avenue
17
Turn left onto PA 88
0.5 mi·48 sec·Country Club Road
18
Turn right onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Coyle Curtin Road
19
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
20
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi·8 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
22
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Finleyville Elrama Road
23
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Washington Avenue
24
At end of road, turn left onto PA 88
0.3 mi·51 sec·Washington Avenue
25
Continue on Rankintown Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rankintown Road
26
Continue on Venetia Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Venetia Road
27
Turn right onto Bebout Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Bebout Road
28
Enter roundabout onto Valley Brook Road
184 ft·5 sec·Valley Brook Road
29
Continue on Valley Brook Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Valley Brook Road
30
Turn left onto East McMurray Road
458 ft·26 sec·East McMurray Road
31
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
32
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 39m estimated drive time, leaving Phoenixville in the morning allows ample time to reach McMurray before evening. The longest continuous stretch is 245.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan for a break before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, ensure your tank is full before departing, as highway travel can consume fuel steadily. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of potential traffic as you approach your destination in the Pittsburgh area, especially during peak hours.
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 144.8 miles from Phoenixville, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 245.3 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.8 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 24m
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 Phoenixville, 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 Phoenixville, PA
This is one driving day of about 289.5 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Phoenixville, 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 245.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 251.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 29 / North Morehall Road
Turn left onto PA 29 / North Morehall Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
5.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harrisburg
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harr...
7
5.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7
251.5 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
251.9 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.16 one way
$92.32 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$51.08
$102.17
premium
$4.81
$54.80
$109.60
diesel
$4.80
$54.66
$109.33
Estimated Tolls: $32.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(245.3 mi)$31.88
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
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.40
$13.90
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Phoenixville, PA
Evening
in Phoenixville on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
McMurray, PA
Evening
in McMurray on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
S 2 to 6 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
83°F
King, PA
145 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 39m 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...
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...
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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 209.6
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 59.9
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 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 93% of the 289.5 miles spent on major roads. You'll experience a long, continuous stretch of 245.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this extended highway section, you'll transition to surface roads for the final miles into McMurray. Expect frequent exits on the turnpike, indicating a well-trafficked corridor.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 245.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near PA 29 / North Morehall 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 21 significant decision points across 289.5 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 4.6 miles (PA 29 / North Morehall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,461 ft137 ft
Total Climb
3,070 ft
Total Descent
2,204 ft
Highest Point
2,461 ft
~227.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,324 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phoenixville, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton, Washington, Columbus and Fayette City.
Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg
251.5 mi in|~4h 39m|via I 70
Wheeling
251.5 mi in|~4h 39m|via I 70
New Stanton
251.5 mi in|~4h 39m|via I 70
Washington
251.9 mi in|~4h 40m|via I 70
Columbus
251.9 mi in|~4h 40m|via I 70
Fayette City
266.7 mi in|~5h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Phoenixville is a borough of 17,000 people (2019) in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Philadelphia Metro Area. Phoenixville used to be a beaten-down mill town, but its downtown has been revitalized by 10 craft breweries and a distillery. It has more breweries per square foot than anywhere else in America.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 289.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 245.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.44 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 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (PA 29 / North Morehall Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
