Origin
Derry, PA
Morning in Derry on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derry, 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 32m
Distance
213.6 mi
344 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derry, PA
Israyosoy S.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Derry, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 213.6 miles and takes about 4h 32m via William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania's Northeast region into its Northeast region, offering a drive that feels more local and turn-heavy than a pure interstate experience. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable journey for a weekend getaway or a practical transit between these two points. Consider this route if you prefer a less highway-dominated path and don't mind navigating more varied road types.
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
106.8 miles from Derry, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 61.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| Keystone Shortway | 54.1 mi | 58m |
| I 99 | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| Broadway Road | 6 mi | 10m |
| Washingtonville Road | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derry, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Crawford Road
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Crawford Road
2
Turn left onto Greenleaf Road
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Greenleaf Road
3
Turn right onto PA 254
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Washingtonville Road
4
Continue on PA 254
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Broadway Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
8
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
9
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
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
this road
12
Continue on US 22
16 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
13
Continue on US 22
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
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: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
18
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
19
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
20
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 32m duration and the 'turn-heavy' profile, plan to depart early to maximize daylight and your flexibility for any unexpected delays. While the longest stretch is just over 61 miles, the overall route involves multiple road changes, so staying aware of your navigation is key. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's a budget-friendly trip; however, be mindful of fuel availability in more rural sections between the main roads. Since it's a one-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to rush, allowing you to enjoy the progression of the journey.
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 106.8 miles from Derry, PA, or about 2h 6m 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Derry, 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 Derry, PA
This is one driving day of about 213.6 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Derry, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Derry, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.2 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 65 and 213.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
199.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
212.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
213.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.41 one way
$70.82 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $41.42 | $82.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.16 | $94.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.43 | $10.25 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.69 | $8.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.90 | $13.67 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
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
29 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 32m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 147.3
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 154.7
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 drive that's more 'turn-heavy' and local, with only 22% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.2 miles along the William Penn Highway. This suggests a journey with frequent changes in scenery and road conditions, moving from faster highway segments to more winding local roads. You'll likely experience a dynamic driving feel as you progress, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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?
7/10
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 65 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 213.6 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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.4 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Derry, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
89.4 mi in
|
~1h 47m
|
via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
123.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
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 32m. Total distance: 213.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.4 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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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