Origin
Girard, PA
Late night in Girard on Sunday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Girard, 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
2h 27m
Distance
122.1 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Girard, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 122.1-mile drive from Girard to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward 2-hour and 27-minute journey, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of it utilizing major roads like I-79 and the Parkway North. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this drive offers an economical way to travel within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. You'll find the experience to be primarily a functional commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour, so plan accordingly for a direct trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Girard, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 93.7 mi | 1h 41m |
| Parkway North | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| PA-98 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Route 6N | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Beckman Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| Tannery Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| I 579 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Avonia Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 93.7 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Girard, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on US 20
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
3
Continue on Tannery Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Tannery Road
4
Turn right onto Beckman Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Beckman Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Keefer Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Keefer Road
6
Turn left onto Luther Road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Luther Road
7
Turn right onto PA 98
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Avonia Road
8
Continue on PA 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
PA-98
9
Continue on PA 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Falls Road
10
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 98
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
PA-98
11
Turn left onto US 6N
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 6N
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
13
Merge onto I 79
94 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft
·
14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
18
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bigelow Boulevard
19
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft
·
6 sec
·
Bigelow Square
Toward 6th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft
·
11 sec
·
Sixth Avenue
21
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft
·
22 sec
·
Grant Street
22
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft
·
13 sec
·
Grant Street
23
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 27-minute duration, this trip from Girard to Pittsburgh is easily manageable in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time in Pittsburgh, though the flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your departure. You'll cover 122.1 miles, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 93.7 miles on I-79, so plan for one main fuel and rest stop about halfway through. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Pittsburgh area, especially on the Parkway North.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from Girard, PA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.7 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Girard, 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 Girard, PA
This is one driving day of about 122.1 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Girard, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 93.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Girard, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.7 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 15.4 and 121.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
109.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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
120.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
121.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
$20.24 one way
$40.49 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $22.17 | $44.34 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.68 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Late night in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
12:23 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
8 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
2h 27m 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 highway-focused drive for the vast majority of your 122.1 miles. With 94% of this route on highways, including a significant 93.7-mile stretch on I-79, you'll be covering ground efficiently. The transition from PA-98 to the Parkway North and then I-79 means you'll spend most of your time on fast-paced, multi-lane roads. This character translates to a drive where progress is the priority, with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops off the main thoroughfare.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.7 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 15.4 miles in near I 79.
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 16 significant decision points across 122.1 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 15.4 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.1 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.5 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 2h 27m. Total distance: 122.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.7 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.1 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.5 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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