Pennsylvania Driving Guide

Pennsylvania is a haven for the unseen, the unique and the uncommon. From wild herds of elk loping around woodland ravines to the museum of Andy Warhol, iconic artist and son of Pennsylvania - there's a lot waiting for you to explore.

But before you can discover the charm and wonders of the Keystone State, you'll need to know the rules of the road. Read our guide to learn about the different driving rules and regulations in Pennsylvania – including the speed limits and toll roads you need to keep in mind.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Pennsylvania and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• By law, drivers are prohibited from texting, reading and sending messages on cell phones and wireless devices while driving.
• Vehicle headlights must be on whenever windshield wipers are.
• To make a right turn on a red, first come to a complete stop. If it’s clear, you can turn right – unless there's a road sign forbidding it.
• U-turns are allowed in Pennsylvania if they are made with caution and don’t put any other driver in danger. Look out for signs that prohibit U-turns before doing a 180.
• Do not block intersections if the traffic ahead is not moving or you cannot turn right.
• At four-way stops, all traffic must come to a complete stop. As a rule, the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way. In the case that multiple vehicles arrived at the same time, the one at the farthest right gets the right of way. The vehicle on its left would have the next priority.

Speed limits in Pennsylvania

If you’re ever unsure of the speed limit in Pennsylvania, you should follow these maximum speed limits below.

Toll roads in Pennsylvania

When driving through the state, it's good to know the toll roads in Pennsylvania. There are six of them, so look out for them when planning your route.

I-376 Toll

Parent of the Beaver Valley Expressway, this major auxiliary route runs through the beautiful, rugged terrains of Allegheny Plateau on the way to Pittsburgh.

From: I-80 near Sharon

To: Pittsburgh

Cost for car: from $1.20 with E-ZPass or from $2.90 with Toll By Plate

Cost for truck: from $4.30 with E-ZPass or from $8.80 with Toll By Plate

How to pay: Pay with E-ZPass or Toll By Plate.

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Spanning 360 miles across Pennsylvania, the PA Turnpike is the main toll road connecting Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and beyond.

From: NJ Turnpike

To: Ohio Turnpike

Cost for car: $65.70 (cash) or $44.30 (E-ZPass)

Cost for truck: Depends on class

How to pay: E-ZPass, Toll By Plate or cash.

PA Turnpike 43 (Mon-Fayette Expressway)

The Mon-Fayette Expressway is a toll road that runs across the Pennsylvania state border with West Virginia.

From: Jefferson Hills, PA

To: Cheat Lake, WV

Cost for car: $7.70 cash or $5.10 with E-ZPass

Cost for truck: From $8.40 with E-ZPass or $18.20 with Toll By Plate, depending on exit and class

How to pay: E-ZPass, Toll By Plate or cash.

PA Turnpike 66 (Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass)

If you’re travelling on PA 66, you may need to pay a toll on the Amos K. Hutchison Bypass between New Stanton and Delmont.

From: New Stanton

To: Delmont

Cost for car: $2.15 by cash – or $1.46 with E-ZPass

Cost for Class 5 truck: $3.70 to $4.00 with E-ZPass – or $16.30 to $17.30 if paying by cash

How to pay: E-ZPass, Toll By Plate or cash.

PA Turnpike 576 (Southern Beltway)

The Southern Beltway toll road runs off the I-79, just west of Pittsburgh.

From: Cecil Township

To: Findlay Township

Cost for car: $4.20 with E-ZPass – or $8.40 without

Cost for truck: $6.30 for three-axle truck with E-ZPass – or $12.60 without

How to pay: E-ZPass or Toll By Plate.

Pennsylvania Turnpike NE Extension

The Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike follows the I-476 between Clarks Summit and Scranton to the outskirts of Philadelphia.

From: Clarks Summit, PA

To: Plymouth Meeting, PA

Cost for car: $10.75 (cash), $7.60 (E-ZPass)

Cost for truck: Depends on class

How to pay: E-ZPass, Toll By Plate or cash.

The toll prices listed on this page are just indicators. Toll prices vary depending on the exit, the class of vehicle you're driving and how you pay. Family cars like sedans, pickup trucks and vans are all classified as class I, whereas trucks are classed according to the number of axles.

Driving ages and license requirements in Pennsylvania

• The minimum driving age in Pennsylvania is 16 and a half.
• After having a learner's permit for a minimum of 6 months, one can apply for a junior driver's license.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Pennsylvania is 21 with Hertz.

Looking to rent a car in Pennsylvania with Hertz? Check out our tips for renters under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Pennsylvania

In your vehicle, it’s recommended that you carry:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Lug-nut wrench
• Jump cables
• Screwdrivers
• Rope or chain
• Flashlight.

Pennsylvania speed violations, infractions and penalties

Section 3362 (c) of the Code states that you'll be fined for breaking speed limits in Pennsylvania.

• Drivers are subjected to a fine of $42.50 for breaking the maximum speed limit.
• A violation of any other speed limit is subject to a fine of $35.
• An extra $2 is added to the ticket for every 5 miles you are over the speed limit.

If a vehicle is found to be speeding unreasonably – more than 31 mph over the speed limit – then the driver can get a 15-day suspension, a special penalty or both.

Driving with children in Pennsylvania

If you’re driving with children, you should learn the car seat requirements in Pennsylvania. They’re not too different from the rest of the country.

• 0-2 years: you should secure them safely in a rear-facing car seat.
• 2-4 years: children should be properly fastened in an approved child seat anywhere in the back of the vehicle.
• 4-8 years: must be seated in an approved booster seat.
• 8 years and older: must be wearing a seatbelt.

Gas prices in Pennsylvania

The average price of gas in Pennsylvania is $3.77 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.13 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.18 per mile.
• For an SUV like a Ford Expedition, it’s around $0.18 per mile on the freeway and $0.22 in the city.

Gas price figure last updated October 14, 2022.

Electric car charging in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has over 2,200 Level 2 chargers across the state. On top of this, there are another 125 DC fast-charging stations. More EV chargers around the state are planned for the near future.

At Hertz, we have a huge fleet of hybrids and EVs, which you can learn more about in our electric vehicles hub.  

Driving between Pennsylvania and other states

Unlike some car rental companies, Hertz allows you to drive out of state in your rental. So, you can pick up your car in Pennsylvania, then leave it at one of our drop-off locations in Ohio or New Jersey – that's how convenient we've made it for you.

At Hertz, we've lifted the restrictions so you can drive between the states freely. Speak to a member of our team when booking to find out more about our one-way car rentals.

Driving conditions in Pennsylvania

Driving conditions in Pennsylvania are usually quite pleasant. The climate is generally humid and characterized by fluctuations in temperature. The average temperature in summer hovers around a pleasant 70°F. In January, it can drop to around 19°F. Annually, the state gets an average of 40 inches of rainfall.