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Trip from Greensburg, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

281.5 mi

453 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Greensburg, PA, PA

Greensburg, PA

Michael Taccetta

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Greensburg, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 281.5 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 76, Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 252 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

140.8 miles from Greensburg, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 252 mi 4h 34m
I 76 18 mi 26m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass 2.9 mi 3m
West Newton Street 2.8 mi 4m
West Newton Road 0.9 mi 1m
East Otterman Street 0.8 mi 1m
Vine Street Expressway 0.8 mi 1m
I 70 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 252 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greensburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

1

Start on South Urania Avenue

0.1 mi · 41 sec · South Urania Avenue
2

Turn left onto PA 130

379 ft · 6 sec · East Pittsburgh Street
3

Continue on PA 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Otterman Street
4

Turn left onto North Spring Street

0.3 mi · 30 sec · North Spring Street
5

Turn right onto West Newton Street

0.4 mi · 36 sec · West Newton Street
6

Continue on PA 136

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Newton Road
7

Continue on PA 136

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Newton Street
8

Turn left

0.7 mi · 1 min
9

Merge onto PA Tpke 66

2.9 mi · 3 min · Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 0B Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on I 70

0.2 mi · 22 sec · I 70
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
15

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

252 mi · 4 hr 34 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit onto I 76

18 mi · 26 min · I 76
Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30

0.8 mi · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn right onto North 15th Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
21

Turn slight left onto PA 611

379 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square
22

Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square

167 ft · 2 sec · South Penn Square
23

Arrive at destination

South Penn Square

Trip Plan

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 140.8 miles from Greensburg, PA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 62 miles or 1h 13m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 140.8 miles or 2h 39m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Greensburg, 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 Greensburg, PA

This is one driving day of about 281.5 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Greensburg, 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 252 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hilltown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hilltown, PA

141 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.

Popular next leg

Hilltown, PA to Philadelphia, PA

143.5 mi · 3h

Pacing Suggestions

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Smithsburg, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.8 miles from Greensburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 281 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
8.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 0B Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
8
9.2 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, 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 I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pitts...
8
262 mi into trip | ~4h 51m in | I 76

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
8
280 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in | I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
281 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.67 one way

$93.34 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $51.11 $102.23
premium $4.93 $54.59 $109.19
diesel $5.61 $62.15 $124.30

Estimated Tolls: $32.98

Pennsylvania Turnpike (252 mi) $32.77
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass (2.9 mi) $0.21

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

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$105–$130

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.5 1 $29.56 $13.51
Efficient EV 70.4 0 $24.63 $11.26
EV Truck/SUV 112.6 1 $39.41 $18.02

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Greensburg, PA

Afternoon in Greensburg on Saturday

Local time

2:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, PA

Afternoon in Philadelphia on Saturday

Local time

2:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 15 mph 8% chance Live forecast

45°F

Hilltown, PA

141 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

35 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

5h 20m 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.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 near mile 281.5
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 281.5
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 262.1
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 165
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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 58.2
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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 203.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

281.5 mi in 5h 20m, mostly highway — 252 mi of that is on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 8.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 281.5 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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 281.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 252 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $32.98 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.

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 Philadelphia, 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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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