PA 228 serves as the main thoroughfare across southern Butler County, due to the fact its western end in Cranberry Township connects to both U.S. Route 19 and Interstate 79.

This terminus is very close to PA Route 28, a limited access highway carrying traffic away from Pittsburgh to the northeast direction.

Although this stretch of roadway isn't highly developed like the neighboring Cranberry Township and Seven Fields portions are, traffic is still a problem.

Often drivers have to wait a considerable amount of time to turn onto a side roads because of heavy traffic volume during rush hour.

Shortly after passing Mars Area Middle School, travelers enter Middlesex Township.

In January 2015, PennDOT announced a plan to realign and widen the road between PA 8 and Mars Area Centennial School.

Traffic traveling this portion of the road may be destined for PA Route 28 North (Kittanning, Indiana), the town of Freeport, or another location along the Allegheny-Kiski Valley.