South Union, PA to Gurnee, PA is 49.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 34 minutes via Grand Army of the Republic Highway, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a local feel for much of the journey. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's an ideal route for a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll primarily navigate local roads, so be prepared for a driving experience that's more about the turns than high-speed cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
24.8 miles from South Union, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
6.2 mi
8m
North Elk Run Road
6.1 mi
8m
Ogdensburg Road
5.7 mi
10m
North Williamson Road
5.6 mi
10m
Pinecreek Road
5.3 mi
9m
Route 6
5.3 mi
7m
Shin Hollow Road T328
2.9 mi
11m
PA 414
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
— 6.2 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Union, PA and Gurnee, PA.
1
Start on South Union Road
2.2 mi·8 min·South Union Road
2
Turn right onto PA 414
2.6 mi·4 min·PA 414
3
Turn left onto Bloss Mt Road
0.3 mi·30 sec·Bloss Mt Road
4
Continue on Ogdensburg Road
5.7 mi·10 min·Ogdensburg Road
5
Continue on Morris Run Road
0.4 mi·36 sec·Morris Run Road
6
Continue on Gulick Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Gulick Street
7
Continue on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
8
Turn right onto North Williamson Road
5.6 mi·10 min·North Williamson Road
9
Turn left onto PA 660
6.1 mi·8 min·North Elk Run Road
10
Turn slight left onto US 6; PA 660
5.3 mi·7 min·Route 6
11
Continue on US 6; PA 660
1.0 mi·2 min·East Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto PA 660
0.5 mi·56 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on PA 660
0.9 mi·1 min·West Avenue
14
Continue on PA 660
1.7 mi·2 min·Route 660
15
Continue on PA 362
5.3 mi·9 min·Pinecreek Road
16
Turn left onto US 6
6.2 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
17
Turn right onto Shin Hollow Road T328
2.9 mi·11 min·Shin Hollow Road T328
18
Continue on T1-11
0.2 mi·41 sec·T1-11
19
Turn slight left onto Gurnee Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Gurnee Road
20
Arrive at destination
Gurnee Road
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive from South Union in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight for this 1-hour, 34-minute trip. With only 49.5 miles, you have plenty of flexibility for stops if you find a point of interest, though the data suggests no specific designated stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $8, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Gurnee, PA, as this route is primarily local roads with fewer services. Pay close attention to navigation, especially when transitioning between roads like North Elk Run Road and Ogdensburg Road, to stay on track.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 24.8 miles from South Union, PA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.2 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 11 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.8 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gurnee, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Union, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Union, PA
This is one driving day of about 49.5 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 11 miles from South Union, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Grand Army of the Republic Highway for about 6.2 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 30.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 414
Turn right onto PA 414
Navigation decision point
3
4.8 mi into trip|~13m in|Bloss Mt Road
Turn left onto Bloss Mt Road
Navigation decision point
3
12.8 mi into trip|~27m in|North Williamson Road
Turn right onto North Williamson Road
Navigation decision point
4
18.4 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 660 / North Elk Run Road
Turn left onto PA 660 / North Elk Run Road
Navigation decision point
5
30.8 mi into trip|~55m in|PA 660 / Main Street
Turn left onto PA 660 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.21 one way
$16.41 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg17 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$8.99
$17.98
premium
$4.93
$9.60
$19.20
diesel
$5.61
$10.93
$21.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
14.9
0
$5.20
$2.38
Efficient EV
12.4
0
$4.33
$1.98
EV Truck/SUV
19.8
0
$6.93
$3.17
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
South Union, PA
Morning
in South Union on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gurnee, PA
Morning
in Gurnee on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
8 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
1h 34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a straightforward highway haul. With only 19% of the journey on highways, you'll spend most of your time on roads like Grand Army of the Republic Highway and North Elk Run Road. The longest stretch without a turn or break is 6.2 miles along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Expect a dynamic driving experience where the scenery and road conditions can change frequently as you navigate through various local terrains.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 6.2 mi on Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near PA 414.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from South Union, PA to Gurnee, PA is easy. At 1h 34m with 19% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (PA 414): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (Bloss Mt Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (North Williamson Road): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 49.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 6.2 miles on Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (PA 414): Navigation decision point; at 4.8 miles (Bloss Mt Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (North Williamson Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gurnee, PA before heading back.
