Origin
Spring Garden, PA
Late night in Spring Garden on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spring Garden, PA to Penn Hills, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
201.6 mi
324 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 59m
★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spring Garden, PA
Athira Anil
Penn Hills, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spring Garden, PA to Penn Hills, PA is 201.6 miles and takes about 4h 12m via Keystone Shortway and PA 56, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and navigating local roads, rather than a straightforward highway cruise. It's a single-day journey that is manageable for most drivers, offering a practical way to connect these two points.
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
100.8 miles from Spring Garden, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 89.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| Dowler Highway | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| PA 56 | 16.7 mi | 24m |
| Mahaffey Grampian Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Saltsburg Road | 7.6 mi | 14m |
| Route 286 Highway East | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| PA 380 | 6 mi | 8m |
| US 422 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Garden, PA and Penn Hills, PA.
1
Start on PA 44
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
PA 44
2
Turn right onto US 15
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 15
3
Continue on US 15
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Westbranch Highway
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 80
90 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Keystone Shortway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
7
Turn left onto PA 879
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Clearfield Shawville Highway
8
Turn left onto PA 879
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Clearfield Curwensville Highway
9
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Curwensville Grampain Highway
10
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Highway
11
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Road
12
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
1st Street
13
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
14
Continue on US 219
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Main Street
15
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colonel Drake Highway
16
Continue on US 219
515 ft
·
6 sec
·
Burnside - McGees Highway
17
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Burnside McGee Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Dowler Highway
19
Continue on PA 286
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Route 286 Highway East
20
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
PA 286
Toward PA 286 West: Indiana
21
Continue on West Pike Road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Pike Road
22
Continue on Philadelphia Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Philadelphia Street
23
Continue on US 422 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Pike Road
24
Take the ramp onto US 422 Business
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 422 Business
Toward US 422: Kittanning
25
Continue on US 422; PA 56
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 422; PA 56
26
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 156
17 mi
·
24 min
·
PA 56; PA 156
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on PA 66
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 66
28
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 66
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
30
Turn straight onto PA 380
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
PA 380
31
Turn right onto PA 380
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Saltsburg Road
32
At end of road, turn right onto PA 380
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Saltsburg Road
33
Turn right onto Yellow Belt
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Hulton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Hamil Road
211 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hamil Road
35
Turn left onto Shannon Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Shannon Road
36
At end of road, turn left onto Second Avenue
227 ft
·
9 sec
·
Second Avenue
37
At end of road, turn left onto Verona Road
298 ft
·
10 sec
·
Verona Road
38
Turn right onto Mount Avenue
519 ft
·
24 sec
·
Mount Avenue
39
Turn right onto Sylvan Avenue
134 ft
·
5 sec
·
Sylvan Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
Sylvan Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 12m duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. To make the most of your drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for navigation, especially with the turn-heavy profile. While there's only one recommended stop indicated, factor in additional brief breaks as needed, particularly before you begin the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $33 and local roads might not always have immediate access to gas stations.
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 100.8 miles from Spring Garden, PA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.8 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
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 Spring Garden, 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 Spring Garden, PA
This is one driving day of about 201.6 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Spring Garden, 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 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Spring Garden, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 199.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
5
96 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
5
154.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
PA 286
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286 toward PA 286 West: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 286 West: Indiana
5
165 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
PA 56; PA 156
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 156
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
199.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
|
Yellow Belt / Hulton Road
Turn right onto Yellow Belt / Hulton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.42 one way
$66.85 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $36.61 | $73.21 |
| premium | $4.93 | $39.10 | $78.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.51 | $89.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
| Efficient EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.6 | 1 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Penn Hills, PA
Late night in Penn Hills on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph
0% chance
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
11 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
4h 12m 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.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 146
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local experience, with only 22% of the total distance on highways. You'll experience a mix of road types, leaning more towards local routes than high-speed travel. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 89.8 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before returning to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction and speed as you navigate through different communities.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 5.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 201.6 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles (PA 286): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Spring Garden, PA to Penn Hills, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shawville along the way.
Shawville
96 mi in
|
~1h 46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 201.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles (PA 286): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Penn Hills, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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