Upland, PA to New Kensington, PA is 296.4 miles and takes about 5h 47m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You can expect a consistent pace for most of the 5h 47m, with most of the mileage covered on the turnpike. This route is a good choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state without extensive planning.
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
148.2 miles from Upland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
265.3 mi
4h 48m
PA 100
7.5 mi
11m
North Middletown Road
5.8 mi
9m
West Chester Pike
3.2 mi
5m
South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi
5m
Pittsburgh Street
2.2 mi
6m
Freeport Road
2.2 mi
4m
South Chester Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 265.3 mi, about 4h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upland, PA and New Kensington, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on Upland Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Upland Road
3
Turn left onto PA 352
1.1 mi·2 min·Edgmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on PA 352
2.9 mi·5 min·South New Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on PA 352
5.8 mi·9 min·North Middletown Road
6
Continue on PA 352
1.2 mi·2 min·South Chester Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352
3.2 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·44 sec
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, DowningtownUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 202; US 322
1.2 mi·1 min·West Chester Bypass
10
Take the exit onto PA 100
7.5 mi·11 min·PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: ExtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward PATP
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 76; PATP
265 mi·4 hr 48 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
16
Turn straight onto Freeport Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Freeport Road
17
Continue on Pittsburgh Street
2.2 mi·6 min·Pittsburgh Street
18
Continue on Freeport Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Freeport Road
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Freeport Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Freeport Road
20
Turn straight onto New Kensington Bridge
0.3 mi·29 sec·New Kensington Bridge
21
Continue on 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
22
Turn left onto Constitution Boulevard
0.3 mi·42 sec·Constitution Boulevard
23
Turn right
316 ft·16 sec
24
Turn left onto Locust Street
279 ft·7 sec·Locust Street
25
Arrive at destination
Locust Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 47m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with daylight to spare. You'll cover a significant 265.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so consider a brief stop about halfway through for fuel and a stretch. The remaining mileage on PA 100 and North Middletown Road will be at a slower pace. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, it’s wise to check your tank before departing Upland, PA. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing.
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 148.2 miles from Upland, PA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 265.3 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 65 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.2 miles or 2h 58m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Kensington, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Upland, 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 Upland, PA
This is one driving day of about 296.4 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Upland, 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 265.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 290.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|PA 352 / Edgmont Avenue
Turn left onto PA 352 / Edgmont Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
15.4 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Pruss...
6
16.9 mi into trip|~30m in|PA 100
Take the exit onto PA 100 toward PA 100 North: Exton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 100 North: Exton
7
290.4 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
6
290.9 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Cheswick, Springdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.26 one way
$94.52 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$52.30
$104.60
premium
$4.81
$56.11
$112.21
diesel
$4.80
$55.97
$111.93
Estimated Tolls: $34.49
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(265.3 mi)$34.49
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
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.9
1
$31.12
$14.23
Efficient EV
74.1
0
$25.94
$11.86
EV Truck/SUV
118.6
1
$41.50
$18.97
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 17, 2026
Origin
Upland, PA
Afternoon
in Upland on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
W 5 mph0% 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
New Kensington, PA
Afternoon
in New Kensington on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
SE 3 mph53% 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
83°F
State Line, PA
148 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
18 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
5h 47m 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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 112.4
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 214.6
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 20.4
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 71.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 92% of the total distance on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 265.3 miles, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, including PA 100 and North Middletown Road, for the final miles into New Kensington. Expect a high degree of highway cruising, with frequent exits likely on the turnpike portion.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 265.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near PA 352 / Edgmont Avenue.
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 14 significant decision points across 296.4 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 1.2 miles (PA 352 / Edgmont Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,084 ft29 ft
Total Climb
3,007 ft
Total Descent
2,244 ft
Highest Point
2,084 ft
~232.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,055 ft
Notable High Points
1,845 ft at ~169.4 miles+660 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upland, PA and New Kensington, PA, road signs point toward Downingtown and Patp.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 296.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 265.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.49 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 19 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 New Kensington, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (PA 352 / Edgmont Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and First State National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Kensington, PA before the return drive.
