Origin
Cressona, PA
Morning in Cressona on Sunday
Local time
11:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cressona, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
252.4 mi
406 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cressona, PA
Haneul Trac
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 252.4-mile journey from Cressona, PA, to Pittsburgh, PA, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81, with a final stretch on Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, this route is heavily focused on highway travel. You can expect to spend about $42 on fuel for this trip. With only one recommended stop and a substantial longest stretch of 170.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, it's a route designed for efficient travel across the Northeast region. This direct path makes it a practical option for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
126.2 miles from Cressona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 170.5 mi | 3h 7m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Chestnut Street | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| William Penn Highway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Four Point Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Harrisburg Pike | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 170.5 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cressona, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Zerbe Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
Zerbe Street
2
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto PA 183
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
4
Continue on PA 183
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Chestnut Street
5
Turn slight right onto PA 419
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Four Point Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 78; US 22
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
William Penn Highway
8
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
44 min
·
I 81
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 11 South
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
171 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
19
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
20
Merge onto I 376; US 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
23
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
24
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
25
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your time, consider an early morning departure from Cressona to beat any potential traffic, especially as you near Pittsburgh. With a driving duration under 5 hours and a significant 170.5-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you might only need one planned stop for gas or a quick break. Your fuel cost is estimated at $42, so factor that into your budget. Given the relatively short duration, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your timing based on conditions. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East as you get closer to your destination.
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 126.2 miles from Cressona, PA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.5 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.2 miles or 2h 32m 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 1m
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 Cressona, 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 Cressona, PA
This is one driving day of about 252.4 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Cressona, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 170.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.2 miles from Cressona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.5 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 65 and 238.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
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 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
66.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
237.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
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 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
7
238.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.84 one way
$83.69 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $45.83 | $91.66 |
| premium | $4.93 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.73 | $111.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.17
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(170.5 mi)
$22.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.50 | $12.12 |
| Efficient EV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.09 | $10.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101 | 1 | $35.34 | $16.15 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
11:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
126 mi in
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
13 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
4h 58m 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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 26.1
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 174.1
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 156.7
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 208.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 87% of your 252.4-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on high-speed interstates, particularly the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where you'll encounter a continuous 170.5-mile stretch. This means steady progress is the hallmark of this route, with limited opportunities for slower, scenic byways. While efficient, this highway-centric profile suggests a consistent driving experience, prioritizing getting you to Pittsburgh with minimal fuss. The transition to Penn-Lincoln Parkway East signals your approach into the urban environment.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 252.4 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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cressona, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Monroeville.
Middlesex
65 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Patp
66.3 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Monroeville
237.6 mi in
|
~4h 34m
About the Cities
Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA
Full guide →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.
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 4h 58m. Total distance: 252.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.17 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsburgh, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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