Coolbaugh, PA to Bethel Park, PA is 312.7 miles and takes about 6h 35m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, beginning in the Northeast region and heading southwest. With a significant portion on surface roads, expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. It's a solid one-day option if you're looking to cover ground without being stuck on the highway the entire time.
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
156.4 miles from Coolbaugh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
148.3 mi
2h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
Seven Bridge Road
3.1 mi
6m
Milford Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,111 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,553
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coolbaugh, PA and Bethel Park, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Road
264 ft·11 sec·Keystone Road
2
Turn left onto US 209
3.0 mi·5 min·Milford Road
3
Continue on US 209
0.8 mi·1 min·Marshalls Creek Bypass
4
Enter roundabout onto US 209
176 ft·6 sec·Seven Bridge Road
5
Continue on US 209
3.1 mi·5 min·Seven Bridge Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 209
7
Merge onto I 80
3.6 mi·5 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
145 mi·2 hr 42 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
10
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
11
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
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
14
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
15
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
23
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
24
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
25
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
26
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
27
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
3.0 mi·6 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn slight right onto Milford Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Milford Drive
29
Turn left onto Hillcrest Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hillcrest Street
30
Continue on Bethel Church Road
365 ft·12 sec·Bethel Church Road
31
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Church Road
0.3 mi·49 sec·Bethel Church Road
32
Turn left onto Highland Avenue
0.4 mi·57 sec·Highland Avenue
33
Turn slight right onto West Library Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·West Library Avenue
34
At end of road, turn right onto South Park Road
0.5 mi·1 min·South Park Road
35
Turn left
43 ft·5 sec
36
Turn right
20 ft·6 sec
37
Turn left
102 ft·7 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this route is manageable in a single day, leaving Coolbaugh in the morning gives you plenty of time to reach Bethel Park before evening. The drive involves a mix of highway and surface roads, so be mindful of varying speed limits and potential traffic, especially on the William Penn Highway section. With a fuel cost estimate of $51, it's wise to fill up before leaving the Northeast region. Plan for at least one brief stop to break up the 6.5-hour drive, perhaps before you hit the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway.
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 156.4 miles from Coolbaugh, PA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 69 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethel Park, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coolbaugh, 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 Coolbaugh, PA
This is one driving day of about 312.7 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Coolbaugh, 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 148.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 155.6 and 301.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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...
6
180 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
8
289.9 mi into trip|~5h 55m 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
301.7 mi into trip|~6h 11m in
Take the exit toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73A
Toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
6
301.8 mi into trip|~6h 11m in|PA 885 / Bates Street
Turn right onto PA 885 / Bates Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.86 one way
$99.72 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$55.18
$110.36
premium
$4.81
$59.19
$118.38
diesel
$4.80
$59.04
$118.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
EV Truck/SUV
125.1
1
$43.78
$20.01
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Coolbaugh, PA
Late night
in Coolbaugh on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Patchy Smoke
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bethel Park, PA
Late night
in Bethel Park on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM 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
3 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 35m 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
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 237.2
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,...
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 237.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly surface roads, with only about 15% on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 148.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads like the William Penn Highway. Expect to notice more frequent exits and entrances as you move between highway segments and local roads, especially as you get closer to your destination.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 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 155.6 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 312.7 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 155.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,360 ft508 ft
Total Climb
3,590 ft
Total Descent
2,896 ft
Highest Point
2,360 ft
~223.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,853 ft
Notable High Points
1,456 ft at ~134 miles+598 ft prominence
2,360 ft at ~223.4 miles+518 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coolbaugh, PA and Bethel Park, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Allegheny County is the center of the Pittsburgh Region of Pennsylvania. It contains the city of Pittsburgh and most of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 312.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m 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 148.3 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 Bethel Park, 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 155.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.9 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethel Park, PA before the return drive.
