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Trip from Canadensis, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 4m

Distance

294.5 mi

474 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 52m ★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m

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

Downtown Canadensis, PA, PA

Canadensis, PA

Haneul Trac

city and county seat in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Canadensis, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 294.5 miles and takes about 6h 4m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, entirely within the state. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns rather than long stretches of consistent highway. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is best suited for those who don't mind a more engaged driving experience with plenty of opportunities to adjust your course.

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

147.3 miles from Canadensis, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 132.1 mi 2h 25m
William Penn Highway 61.2 mi 1h 25m
I 99 33.8 mi 36m
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 13.5 mi 18m
Admiral Peary Highway 13.4 mi 19m
Peterson Road 4.3 mi 8m
Paradise Valley Road 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 132.1 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canadensis, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.

1

Start on PA 447

142 ft · 9 sec · PA 447
2

Continue on PA 390

4.3 mi · 8 min · Peterson Road
3

Continue on PA 390

1.3 mi · 2 min · PA 390
4

At end of road, turn right onto PA 940

3.0 mi · 5 min · Paradise Valley Road
5

Turn right onto PA 611; PA 940

337 ft · 10 sec · Pocono Boulevard
6

Turn left onto PA 940

2.6 mi · 4 min · PA 940
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
8

Merge onto I 380

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 380
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 1A Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
10

Merge onto I 80

132 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Keystone Shortway
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
12

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

34 mi · 36 min · I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
14

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
15

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road
16

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway
17

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22

13 mi · 18 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh Use the slight left lane.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue
22

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street
23

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
24

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
25

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, aim to depart Canadensis, PA early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, plan for more frequent, shorter stops to rest and refuel rather than one long break. The total fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before leaving and keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longer stretches on the Keystone Shortway. Since the drive can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility in pacing, but be mindful that the frequent turns may make the 6-hour estimate feel longer.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.3 miles from Canadensis, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 65 miles or 1h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.3 miles or 2h 52m 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 46m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Canadensis, 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 Canadensis, PA

This is one driving day of about 294.5 miles and 6h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Canadensis, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 132.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

State College, PA

147 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.

Pacing Suggestions

City of Scranton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellefonte, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.3 miles from Canadensis, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.1 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.4 and 294.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
13.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 1A Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
6
145.9 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

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

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
8
280.2 mi into trip | ~5h 43m in | I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East

Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
293.7 mi into trip | ~6h 1m in

Take the exit toward Second Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue
7
294.4 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in | Grant Street

Turn right onto Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.82 one way

$97.65 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $53.47 $106.95
premium $4.93 $57.11 $114.23
diesel $5.61 $65.02 $130.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.4 1 $30.92 $14.14
Efficient EV 73.6 0 $25.77 $11.78
EV Truck/SUV 117.8 1 $41.23 $18.85

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Canadensis, PA

Morning in Canadensis on Tuesday

Local time

6:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Morning in Pittsburgh on Tuesday

Local time

6:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

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

44 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

6h 4m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 223.4
View on nps.gov
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour $10
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...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour Free near mile 233.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy local drive', with only 18% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating local roads, which means more frequent adjustments to your steering and speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 132.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Be prepared for a route that demands your attention, as the road conditions and turns can change frequently, offering a more dynamic experience than a typical interstate journey.

Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 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 15 significant decision points across 294.5 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 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 145.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.2 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Canadensis, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

Altoona

170.4 mi in | ~3h 19m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

204.2 mi in | ~3h 56m

About the Cities

Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1758

The pleasure of Pittsburgh remains a well-kept secret. Though not built up by reputation, the city's unique combination of bridges, steep hills, and broad rivers make it one of the most naturally scenic cities in the country. Cheap food and beer abound in this true sports town and the locals are amazingly friendly. A city of about 303,000 (2021) in Allegheny County, at the center of a metro area of about 2.4 million in southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, which meet to form the Ohio River. The city's unique terrain has resulted in an unusual city design and a hodge-podge of unique neighborhood "pockets" with diverse ethnic and architectural heritage.

Top landmarks

  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Allegheny Observatory — historic observatory of the University of Pittsburgh
  • Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 294.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Pittsburgh, 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 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 145.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.2 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pittsburgh, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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