This 315.8-mile journey from Gibson, PA to Pittsburgh, PA will take approximately 6 hours and 27 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, about 25% of this route involves highway driving. With a projected fuel cost of $52, this trip is well-suited as a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The drive spans within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward, turn-heavy local experience.
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
157.9 miles from Gibson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
American Legion Memorial Highway
36.7 mi
44m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
I 81
28.5 mi
34m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gibson, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on T945
60 ft·1 sec·Great Bend Turnpike
2
Continue on PA 547
0.2 mi·23 sec·State Route 547
3
Continue on PA 547
2.4 mi·5 min·State Route 547
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
28 mi·34 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·44 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-BarreUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
8
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 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
13 mi·18 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
20
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
21
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
22
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 27-minute duration, this route is best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 315.8 miles. With only one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $52, and plan your stops accordingly, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. A practical tip: be prepared for the frequent turns characteristic of this local drive.
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 157.9 miles from Gibson, PA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.9 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 3m
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 Gibson, 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 Gibson, PA
This is one driving day of about 315.8 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Gibson, 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 98.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.3 and 315.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
31.3 mi into trip|~40m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6
167.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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...
8
301.5 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
315 mi into trip|~6h 25m 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
315.7 mi into trip|~6h 27m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.36 one way
$104.71 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$57.34
$114.68
premium
$4.93
$61.25
$122.49
diesel
$5.61
$69.72
$139.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.7
1
$33.16
$15.16
Efficient EV
79
0
$27.63
$12.63
EV Truck/SUV
126.3
1
$44.21
$20.21
Gas CO2
110 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gibson, PA
Morning
in Gibson on Sunday
Local time
8:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
158 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
18 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 27m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 250.5
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 250.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the majority of this 315.8-mile trip. While 25% of the route includes highway sections, much of your time will be spent navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more frequent turns. This route's character suggests a more engaging, less monotonous driving experience compared to an all-highway journey.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 31.3 miles in near I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway.
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 14 significant decision points across 315.8 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 31.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.5 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.
Between Gibson, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 315.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m 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 98.5 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 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 31.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.5 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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.
