Radnor, PA to Penn Hills, PA is 287.8 miles and takes about 5h 27m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the same region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll find it’s a largely efficient way to cover the distance, with most of your time spent on the open road.
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
143.9 miles from Radnor, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
270.7 mi
4h 54m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
4.6 mi
6m
Schuylkill Expressway
2.2 mi
3m
Verona Road
2.1 mi
5m
South Gulph Road
1.5 mi
3m
Matsonford Road
1.4 mi
2m
Beulah Road
1.2 mi
1m
Coal Hollow Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 270.7 mi, about 4h 54m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,320 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Radnor, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on this road
302 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left
0.1 mi·43 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto Archbishop Carroll Driveway
192 ft·17 sec·Archbishop Carroll Driveway
4
Turn right onto Matsonford Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Matsonford Road
5
Turn left onto PA 320
1.5 mi·3 min·South Gulph Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 76 West: Valley ForgeUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 76
1.7 mi·2 min·Schuylkill Expressway
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
271 mi·4 hr 54 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
17
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
18
Merge onto I 376; US 22
4.6 mi·6 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 79BToward PA 130: ChurchillUse the slight left lane.
20
Turn right onto PA 130
1.2 mi·1 min·Beulah Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi·12 sec·Old Coal Hollow Road
22
Continue on PA 130
1.0 mi·1 min·Coal Hollow Road
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right onto Verona Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Verona Road
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on Verona Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Verona Road
25
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft·24 sec·Mount Avenue
26
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft·5 sec·Sylvan Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
This trip is best tackled in one day, so aim for an early start to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 270 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on this segment. With a total duration of around 5.5 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's an economical trip. Consider stopping for a break around the halfway point to stay refreshed, especially since the majority of the drive is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 143.9 miles from Radnor, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 270.7 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 42m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penn Hills, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Radnor, 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 Radnor, PA
This is one driving day of about 287.8 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Radnor, 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 270.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 277.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5 mi into trip|~10m 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
5.2 mi into trip|~10m 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
5.4 mi into trip|~10m 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
5.7 mi into trip|~11m 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
8
277.3 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
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 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.89 one way
$91.78 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$50.78
$101.57
premium
$4.81
$54.48
$108.96
diesel
$4.80
$54.34
$108.68
Estimated Tolls: $35.19
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(270.7 mi)$35.19
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
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 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
86.3
1
$30.22
$13.81
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.18
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.29
$18.42
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
Radnor, PA
Afternoon
in Radnor on Sunday
Local time
3:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SW 0 to 5 mph3% 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
Penn Hills, PA
Afternoon
in Penn Hills on Sunday
Local time
3:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SE 1 to 5 mph52% 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
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
144 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 109.2
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 218.3
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 69.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways. The vast majority of your travel, a stretch of 270.7 miles, will be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll transition to surface roads only for the final few miles as you approach Penn Hills. The density of exits and merges on the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East will be a noticeable feature as you get closer to your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 270.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 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 22 significant decision points across 287.8 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 287.8 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 270.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $35.19 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 Penn Hills, 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 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 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 5.5 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 Penn Hills, PA before the return drive.
