Origin
Ellwood City, PA
Morning in Ellwood City on Sunday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellwood City, 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
56m
Distance
38.6 mi
62 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Fair
4 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellwood City, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Ellwood City to Pittsburgh, you are in for a quick 40.7-mile journey that typically takes about 48 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to complete in under an hour without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $7 on fuel for the entire drive. Because this trip stays entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you will not face major shifts in climate or terrain. It is a straightforward, local commute that offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a quick visit, this drive provides a practical and efficient connection.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Parkway North | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| Ellwood-Zelienople Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Zelienople Road | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Perry Highway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West New Castle Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| I 579 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 11.8 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellwood City, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Way
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
Keystone Way
2
Turn left onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Fountain Avenue
3
Turn right onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
4
Continue on PA 65; PA 288
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Ellwood-Zelienople Road
5
Continue on PA 288
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Zelienople Road
6
Continue on PA 288
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West New Castle Street
7
Turn right onto US 19; PA 68
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Perry Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto PA 528
357 ft
·
7 sec
·
Lindsay Road
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 79
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 79
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Parkway North
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 579
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft
·
14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
16
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bigelow Boulevard
17
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft
·
6 sec
·
Bigelow Square
Toward 6th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft
·
11 sec
·
Sixth Avenue
19
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft
·
22 sec
·
Grant Street
20
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft
·
13 sec
·
Grant Street
21
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Ellwood City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 13.5 and 38.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
PA 528 / Lindsay Road
Turn left onto PA 528 / Lindsay Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
25.6 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 279 / Parkway North
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279 / Parkway North toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
7
37 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 579
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579 toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
7
37.9 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
6
38.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.40 one way
$12.80 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.01 | $14.02 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.52 | $17.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.38 | $1.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.40 | $2.47 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Fox Run, PA
19 mi in
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
2 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
56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains zero highway miles. You will navigate through Fountain Avenue, 2nd Street, and the Ellwood-Zelienople Road, keeping your focus on the road ahead. Since the longest stretch without a turn is zero miles on Fountain Avenue, you will find yourself navigating constant adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight-line rhythm. This path is defined by its local character, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific roads. The lack of highway speed means you get a more intimate look at the local landscape, though you should be prepared for a more technical driving experience.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.8 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.5 miles in near PA 528 / Lindsay Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 38.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (PA 528 / Lindsay Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 56m. Total distance: 38.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.8 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (PA 528 / Lindsay Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburgh, PA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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