Saint Marys, PA to Upland, PA is 268.3 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, transitioning from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a solid choice for a single-day trip. It's a straightforward route connecting two points in the state without extensive 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
134.2 miles from Saint Marys, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
112.7 mi
2h 1m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13.1 mi
14m
Morgantown Expressway
11.4 mi
12m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Million Dollar Highway
10.9 mi
16m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.7 mi, about 2h 1m
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 Saint Marys, PA and Upland, PA.
1
Start on PA 120; PA 255
45 ft·1 sec·Railroad Street
2
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
223 ft·4 sec·South Michael Street
3
Turn slight left onto PA 120
0.2 mi·22 sec·PA 120
4
Continue on PA 255
11 mi·16 min·Million Dollar Highway
5
Continue on PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
6
Turn left onto PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
113 mi·2 hr 1 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
10
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
11
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
13
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
14
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
16
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
17
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
18
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
19
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
20
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
21
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
22
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
23
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
24
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
25
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
27
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
28
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on PA 61
1.2 mi·2 min·North 4th Street
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222 BUS
273 ft·4 sec·South 4th Street
36
Continue on US 222 Business
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bingaman Street
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
38
Merge onto US 422
2.0 mi·2 min·West Shore Bypass
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 176 South: MorgantownUse the slight right lane.
40
Continue on I 176
11 mi·12 min·Morgantown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 76 Toll East: PhiladelphiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Merge onto I 76; PATP
13 mi·14 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
43
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 312Toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West ChesterUse the slight right lane.
44
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PA 100 South: DowningtownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
45
Merge onto PA 100
7.1 mi·11 min·Pottstown Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Merge onto US 202
1.6 mi·2 min·US 202
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward PA 3: Newtown SquareUse the right lane.
48
Turn right onto PA 3
3.4 mi·6 min·West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
49
Turn right onto PA 352
1.2 mi·2 min·South Chester Road
Use the right lane.
50
Continue on PA 352
5.8 mi·9 min·Middletown Road
Use the straight lane.
51
Continue on PA 352
2.9 mi·5 min·South New Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
52
Continue on PA 352
1.1 mi·2 min·Edgmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
53
Turn right onto Upland Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Upland Road
Use the right lane.
54
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
55
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 40m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Upland, PA well before evening. The route is designed for a single day, so you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from the Keystone Shortway onto surface roads, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $45 is a good baseline for planning your budget for this approximately 268.3-mile trip.
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 134.2 miles from Saint Marys, PA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.7 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 59 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 39m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upland, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Marys, 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 Saint Marys, PA
This is one driving day of about 268.3 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Saint Marys, 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 112.7 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 215.4 and 243.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
215.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the ramp toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
6
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 176 South: Morgantown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 176 South: Morgantown
7
229.4 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
8
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
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 312
Toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Che...
7
243.4 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 100 South: Downingtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 100 South: Downingtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.86 one way
$93.71 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$51.30
$102.61
premium
$5.20
$54.89
$109.77
diesel
$6.28
$66.29
$132.59
Estimated Tolls: $1.71
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(13.1 mi)$1.71
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
$47
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.5
0
$28.17
$12.88
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
EV Truck/SUV
107.3
1
$37.56
$17.17
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Saint Marys, PA
Night
in Saint Marys on Thursday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Upland, PA
Night
in Upland on Thursday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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 40m 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.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 259.1
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 249.8
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$1
near mile 268.3
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 268.3
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 175.8
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 14% of it on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 112.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for a significant portion of your drive to be on roads with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits. The shift from faster highway speeds to more local road conditions is a key characteristic of this drive.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
55 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 215.4 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 24 significant decision points across 268.3 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 215.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,662 ft29 ft
Total Climb
1,729 ft
Total Descent
3,362 ft
Highest Point
1,662 ft
Elevation Range
1,633 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Marys, PA and Upland, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville, Morgantown, Pottstown and Chester.
St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Sitting near the center of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, St. Marys provides a great jumping-off point for visits to the area's parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 268.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.71 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 14 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 Upland, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 215.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — First State National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (5 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 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upland, PA before the return drive.
