Origin
Ambridge, PA
Night in Ambridge on Sunday
Local time
9:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
6h 17m
Distance
334.1 mi
538 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ambridge, PA
Michael D Beckwith
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Traveling from Ambridge to Philadelphia covers 322 miles and typically takes 5 hours and 21 minutes. Because this journey stays entirely within Pennsylvania and avoids major highways, you should plan for a full day on the road. Budget roughly $52 for fuel to complete the trip. While it is technically possible to finish in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it a significant commitment behind the wheel. Expect a consistent, hands-on driving experience that connects these two distinct points in the Northeast. Weigh your energy levels carefully before departing, as this local-road-focused trip requires more active attention than a standard interstate cruise.
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
167 miles from Ambridge, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
Forget about monotonous interstate cruising; this route is a technical, turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. You will primarily navigate via 8th Street, Ohio River Boulevard, and Crows Run Road, keeping your highway share at 0%. Since the longest stretch is 0 miles on 8th Street, the road keeps you constantly engaged with frequent changes in direction and pace. You won't find long, straightaways here, so be prepared for a drive that feels much more localized and winding than a typical cross-state trek. The character of the road remains consistent, favoring backroads over high-speed transit.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 334.1 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 314.6 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 298.7 mi | 5h 24m |
| I 76 | 18 mi | 26m |
| Ohio River Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Freedom Crider Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Freedom Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Crows Run Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ambridge, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on Duss Avenue
Turn left onto PA 989
Turn right onto PA 65
Turn right onto Crows Run Road
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
Continue on Freedom Road
Turn right onto US 19
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour and 21-minute duration, you should aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on these winding local roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turning can be physically taxing compared to highway driving. Since you aren't relying on major interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and budget the $52 accordingly to ensure you aren't caught off guard in rural stretches. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation tools, as the reliance on local roads like Crows Run Road means you will encounter more intersections than a standard highway route. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to take extra breaks if the driving becomes repetitive.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ambridge, 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 Ambridge, PA
This is one driving day of about 334.1 miles and 6h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167 mi from Ambridge, PA · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 167 miles from Ambridge, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 298.7 miles.
The final approach into Philadelphia, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Philadelphia, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$55.28 one way
$110.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $60.49 | $120.99 |
| premium | $4.92 | $64.74 | $129.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $74.23 | $148.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $38.84
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
$55
Tolls
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$119–$144
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.08 | $16.04 |
| Efficient EV | 83.5 | 0 | $29.23 | $13.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.6 | 1 | $46.77 | $21.38 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Ambridge on Sunday
Local time
9:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
9:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
167 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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