Origin
Monessen, PA
Morning in Monessen on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monessen, PA to Ardara, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
28.3 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monessen, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ardara, PA
Kai
Trip Overview
Monessen, PA to Ardara, PA is 28.3 miles and takes about 48m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short drive stays within the Northeast region and the state of Pennsylvania. Expect a local feel with plenty of turns, making it a less about covering ground quickly and more about navigating local roads. Given its brief duration, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace and flexibility. It's a straightforward journey that won't eat up your entire day.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 28.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a straight path. With only an 8% highway share, most of your time will be spent on local roads like Arona Road and State Route 136. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.9 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience where you're constantly engaged with the road and its changes, rather than settling into a monotonous interstate rhythm.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (Waltz Mill Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.1 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Madison
5
14.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Waltz Mill Road
Turn sharp left onto Waltz Mill Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
14.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
22.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 30 / Lincoln Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 30 / Lincoln Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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 Monessen, PA to Ardara, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
14.1 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 10.9 mi | 14m |
| Arona Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| State Route 136 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Waltz Mill Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Grand Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Water Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Lincoln Highway | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 10.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monessen, PA and Ardara, PA.
1
Start on Marion Avenue
19 ft
·
6 sec
·
Marion Avenue
2
Turn left onto Grand Boulevard
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Boulevard
3
Turn right onto SR 3003
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Tyrol Boulevard
4
Continue on Tyrol Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Tyrol Road
5
Continue on Monessen Highway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Monessen Highway
6
Continue on Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
8
Merge onto I 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Madison
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn sharp left onto Waltz Mill Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Waltz Mill Road
11
Enter roundabout
182 ft
·
3 sec
12
Continue
212 ft
·
4 sec
13
Turn straight onto Waltz Mill Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Waltz Mill Road
14
Continue on Main Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Continue on PA 136
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 136
16
Turn left onto Arona Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Arona Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 30
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
454 ft
·
12 sec
19
Turn straight onto 10th Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
10th Street
20
Continue on Chestnut Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Chestnut Street
21
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
22
Turn right onto Oak Street
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Oak Street
23
Turn left onto PA 993
364 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Street
24
Turn right onto PA 993
380 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
25
Turn left onto PA 993
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Water Street
26
Continue on PA 993
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Trafford Road
27
Turn right onto Haywood Road
393 ft
·
24 sec
·
Haywood Road
28
Turn left onto Mary Street
426 ft
·
20 sec
·
Mary Street
29
Turn right onto Virginia Avenue
199 ft
·
8 sec
·
Virginia Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Virginia Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.69 one way
$9.38 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.14 | $10.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.97 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Ardara, PA
Morning in Ardara on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
48m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Monessen, PA to Ardara, PA covers 28.3 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, Arona Road, State Route 136. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.1 miles from Monessen, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (Waltz Mill Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
On the drive from Monessen, PA to Ardara, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
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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