This 289.5-mile journey from Clarks Summit, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes. The drive will require an estimated $48 for fuel and involves one recommended stop. You'll primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, with a significant portion of the route being local roads rather than high-speed interstate. This trip offers a practical way to travel within Pennsylvania, moving you from the Northeast region to another part of the same state, and is well-suited for a day trip.
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
144.8 miles from Clarks Summit, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
American Legion Memorial Highway
32.7 mi
39m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Morgan Highway
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarks Summit, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Electric Street
62 ft·4 sec·Electric Street
2
Turn right onto Atherton Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Atherton Street
3
Turn right onto West Grove Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Grove Street
4
Turn left onto PA 307
3.9 mi·6 min·Morgan Highway
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 307
308 ft·7 sec·North Keyser Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp onto PA 307
0.2 mi·30 sec·PA 307
Toward US 11 South, PA 307 SouthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 11; PA 307
2.1 mi·3 min·North Scranton Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 11; PA 307
0.2 mi·36 sec·Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Penn Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
11
Turn right onto CR 3023
0.2 mi·22 sec·Cedar Avenue
12
Continue on Cedar Avenue
400 ft·12 sec·Cedar Avenue
13
Turn left onto River Street
0.9 mi·1 min·River Street
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
15
Merge onto I 81
33 mi·39 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
19
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
20
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
21
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
22
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
23
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
24
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
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: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
29
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
30
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
31
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under 6 hours, this route is comfortable for a single-day drive. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure to allow for a leisurely pace and the single recommended stop. The longest stretch without a major break is 98.5 miles, so plan accordingly for fuel and rest before you hit that point. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, staying attentive to navigation is key, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99. Your estimated fuel cost is around $48 for the 289.5 miles.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.8 miles from Clarks Summit, PA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 64 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.8 miles or 2h 50m 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 42m
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 Clarks Summit, 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 Clarks Summit, PA
This is one driving day of about 289.5 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Clarks Summit, 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 98.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 289.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 307 / North Keyser Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto PA 307 / North Keyser Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 307
Take the ramp onto PA 307 toward US 11 South, PA 307 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South, PA 307 South
8
275.2 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
288.7 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
289.4 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.23 one way
$94.46 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$51.94
$103.88
premium
$4.86
$55.43
$110.85
diesel
$5.61
$63.92
$127.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.40
$13.90
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Clarks Summit, PA
Afternoon
in Clarks Summit on Tuesday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 3 to 10 mph60% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 219.6
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 229.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 17% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway. While there are moments of faster travel, the character of the drive is more about navigating through various towns and landscapes, offering a less monotonous experience than an all-interstate trip. The road's personality shifts as you progress, moving from more open stretches to more engaged driving.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 4.5 miles in near PA 307 / North Keyser Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 289.5 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 4.5 miles (PA 307 / North Keyser Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (PA 307): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.2 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 Clarks Summit, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 289.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.5 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 4.5 miles (PA 307 / North Keyser Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (PA 307): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.2 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 and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
