To convert a pixel value without the "px" at the end. use parseFloat.
parseFloat('245px'); // returns 245
Note: If you use parseInt, the value will be correct if the value is an integer. If the value is a decimal one like 245.50px, then the value will be rounded to 245.
Surprisingly, the substring method s.substr(0, s.length-2); is actually quite a bit faster for removing the px (yes it isn't as clean looking, and if there is a space it will remain -- "250px" -> "250" vs "250 px" -> "250 ").
If you want to account for spaces (which you probably should) then using the .trim() function will actually slow down the substr test enough that the parseInt method actually becomes superior.
An added benefit of using parseInt(s, 10) is that you also get a type conversion and can immediately start to apply it to mathematical functions.
So in the end, it really depends on what you plan on doing with the result.
If it is display only, then using the substr method without a trim would probably be your best bet.
If you're just trying to see if the value without px is the same as another value s.substr(0, s.length-2) == 0, then using the substr method would be best, as "250 " == 250 (even with the space) will result as true
If you want to account for the possibility of a space, add it to another value, or to compute something with it, then you may want to consider going with the parseInt route.