Throop, PA to McMurray, PA is 299.6 miles and takes about 6h 20m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the southwest. Expect a route that requires frequent adjustments rather than long stretches of cruising. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, offering a straightforward connection between these two points within 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
149.8 miles from Throop, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
American Legion Memorial Highway
35.8 mi
43m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
McMurray Road
3.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Throop, PA and McMurray, PA.
1
Start on PA 347
148 ft·10 sec·Cypress Street
2
Continue on PA 347
1.6 mi·3 min·PA 347
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 81 South, US 6 East: Wilkes-Barre, Carbondale
4
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 6
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-BarreUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 81
36 mi·43 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
8
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
10
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
34 mi·36 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
14
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
15
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
23
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
24
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
25
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
26
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
27
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
3.0 mi·6 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn slight right onto Milford Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Milford Drive
29
Turn left onto Hillcrest Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hillcrest Street
30
Continue on Bethel Church Road
365 ft·12 sec·Bethel Church Road
31
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Church Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Bethel Church Road
32
Turn left onto Bethel Church Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bethel Church Road
33
At end of road, turn left onto Orange Belt
3.9 mi·8 min·McMurray Road
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto Thomas Road
52 ft·2 sec·Thomas Road
35
Arrive at destination
Thomas Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 20m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you ample time to reach McMurray, PA, before evening. The single recommended stop is a good point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, but don't feel pressured to stop if you're comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the non-highway portions where stations might be less frequent. The $50 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always factor in slight variations. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities in Throop.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 149.8 miles from Throop, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 66 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.8 miles or 2h 52m 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 51m
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 Throop, 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 Throop, PA
This is one driving day of about 299.6 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Throop, 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 98.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 284.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6
138 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
6
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
8
272.3 mi into trip|~5h 30m in|I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
284.1 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73A
Toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.67 one way
$99.34 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$54.40
$108.80
premium
$4.93
$58.10
$116.21
diesel
$5.61
$66.15
$132.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
Efficient EV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.98
EV Truck/SUV
119.8
1
$41.94
$19.17
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Throop, PA
Late night
in Throop on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McMurray, PA
Late night
in McMurray on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 227.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it more of a local drive than a high-speed interstate journey. Only 16% of the drive utilizes highways, so be prepared for a varied experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. As you progress, the road will likely shift between these more direct highway segments and the more winding, local roads that make up the majority of the trip. This blend means you'll be actively steering and navigating for a significant portion of your travel time.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 2.5 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 299.6 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 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Throop, PA and McMurray, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
162.5 mi in|~3h 6m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
196.3 mi in|~3h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 299.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.5 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 138 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
