Connecting Dallas to Pittsburgh via a 259.6-mile journey, this route takes you across Pennsylvania in approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes. Because it fits comfortably into a single day of travel, you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $43 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. The drive transitions you from the Northeast region toward western Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward path for those looking to cross the state efficiently. With only one recommended stop, it is a manageable trip for solo drivers or families alike. Overall, the experience is practical and reliable, making it a solid choice for a direct commute or a planned 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
129.8 miles from Dallas, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
Keystone Shortway
50.6 mi
54m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
State Route 118
23.6 mi
41m
PA 118
18.6 mi
27m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 415
151 ft·30 sec·Memorial Highway
2
Continue on PA 415
177 ft·3 sec·Memorial Highway
3
Enter roundabout onto PA 415
209 ft·4 sec·Memorial Highway
4
Continue on PA 415
1.6 mi·3 min·Memorial Highway
5
Turn left onto PA 118
19 mi·27 min·PA 118
6
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 118
24 mi·41 min·State Route 118
7
Turn left onto PA 405
2.8 mi·5 min·South Main Street
8
Continue on PA 405
0.8 mi·1 min·PA 405
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
10
Merge onto I 180
12 mi·13 min·I 180
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
12
Merge onto I 80
51 mi·54 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
14
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
18
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
19
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
24
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
25
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
26
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 259.6-mile trip, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the busier highway segments. Since you only have one suggested stop, plan it strategically around the midpoint of your drive to maximize your efficiency. Given the fuel cost of $43, it is wise to check your vehicle's range before hitting the stretches of I-99 or the Keystone Shortway to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions. If you find yourself tiring during that 61.2-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, do not hesitate to pull over early to keep your focus sharp for the remainder of the drive.
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 129.8 miles from Dallas, PA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 57 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.8 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 33m
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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, PA
This is one driving day of about 259.6 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Dallas, 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 111.1 and 259.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
111.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
245.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
258.8 mi into trip|~5h 39m 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
259.6 mi into trip|~5h 41m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.04 one way
$86.08 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.14
$94.27
premium
$4.93
$50.35
$100.69
diesel
$5.61
$57.32
$114.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.26
$12.46
Efficient EV
64.9
0
$22.72
$10.38
EV Truck/SUV
103.8
1
$36.34
$16.61
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Dallas, PA
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night
in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
Local time
5:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
10 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
5h 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that blends local roads with major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99, which together provide a varied rhythm to your journey. While highway travel accounts for 39% of your total time behind the wheel, the route remains engaging rather than purely monotonous. Keep in mind that your longest uninterrupted stretch is 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, requiring steady focus before you reach the next transition. The character of the road shifts as you move between these different types of infrastructure, ensuring you stay alert throughout the nearly six-hour trek.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 111.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 259.6 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 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.4 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,878 ft558 ft
Total Climb
2,078 ft
Total Descent
2,439 ft
Highest Point
1,878 ft
~185.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,320 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dallas, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city.
As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
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 42m. Total distance: 259.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. 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 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.4 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
