Traveling from Clarion to Pittsburgh covers 77.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 28 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach the city without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the journey. By navigating through Main Street, South 8th Avenue, and Greenville Avenue, you will transition between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. It is a straightforward trip that avoids the interstate system entirely, making it a reliable option if you prefer local roads over high-speed traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Clarion, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Allegheny Valley Expressway
36.9 mi
48m
North Street
21.3 mi
29m
PA 66
10.5 mi
18m
Greenville Avenue
4.4 mi
7m
Greenville Pike
1.2 mi
2m
West Broad Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Veterans Bridge
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Allegheny Valley Expressway
— 36.9 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarion, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on North 5th Avenue
63 ft·8 sec·North 5th Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 322
0.3 mi·34 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto South 8th Avenue
0.2 mi·19 sec·South 8th Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto Greenville Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Greenville Avenue
5
Continue on Greenville Pike
1.2 mi·2 min·Greenville Pike
6
Continue on Greenville Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Greenville Avenue
7
Continue on PA 66
11 mi·18 min·PA 66
8
Turn right onto PA 28; PA 66
0.6 mi·58 sec·West Broad Street
9
Continue on PA 28; PA 66
21 mi·29 min·North Street
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward PA 28 South: Pittsburgh
11
Continue on PA 28
37 mi·48 min·Allegheny Valley Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
181 ft·4 sec
Exit 1AToward I 579 South, I 279 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroeville, Fort Pitt Bridge, AirportUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge, MonroevilleUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 579
0.3 mi·28 sec·Veterans Bridge
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft·14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
17
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft·3 sec·Bigelow Boulevard
18
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft·6 sec·Bigelow Square
Toward 6th AvenueUse the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft·11 sec·Sixth Avenue
20
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft·22 sec·Grant Street
21
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft·13 sec·Grant Street
22
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should account for the lack of planned stops along the way. Be mindful that because the entire route is comprised of local roads like South 8th Avenue, your travel time may be influenced by local traffic patterns or signals. We recommend fueling up before you head out to ensure your $13 estimate covers the full distance without needing to hunt for a station mid-trip. Use the lack of designated stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks in advance if you prefer to stretch your legs. Keeping a close eye on your GPS is essential given the turn-heavy nature of the navigation.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.8 miles from Clarion, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 36m
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 Clarion, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarion, PA
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Clarion, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Allegheny Valley Expressway for about 36.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 322 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 322 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 579 South, I 279 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroeville, Fort Pitt Bridge, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 579 South, I 279 South: Veterans Bridg...
9
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroevill...
7
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.87 one way
$25.73 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.09
$28.18
premium
$4.93
$15.05
$30.10
diesel
$5.61
$17.13
$34.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.15
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.79
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.86
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clarion, PA
Afternoon
in Clarion on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
1h 53m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a zero-percent highway share. Because you are navigating local streets, there is no single long-distance stretch of road, with the longest segment being 0 miles on Main Street. This setup requires your full attention at the wheel, as you will be constantly navigating transitions between various local roads. You will find that the personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns rather than sustained speed. Prepare for a more engaged driving experience that keeps you moving through the local landscape at a steady, manageable pace.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.9 mi on Allegheny Valley Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Allegheny Valley Expressway and North Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 322 / Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (US 322 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.9 miles on Allegheny Valley Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 322 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburgh, PA before heading back.
