Crossing Pennsylvania from Hawley to Pittsburgh is a substantial 313.3-mile journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 36 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it functions best as a single long day trip rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Navigating the state via the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and the American Legion Memorial Highway requires your full attention due to the winding nature of the roads. While the drive is manageable in one go, be prepared for a full day behind the wheel as you transition from the northeast corner of the state to the western edge.
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
156.6 miles from Hawley, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m 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
35 mi
42m
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
I 84
7.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hawley, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Penn Avenue
447 ft·26 sec·Penn Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; PA 590
0.8 mi·2 min·Bellemonte Avenue
3
Continue on US 6; PA 590
0.5 mi·1 min·Welwood Avenue
4
Turn slight right
318 ft·12 sec
5
Turn straight onto PA 590
1.0 mi·1 min·Purdytown Turnpike
6
Continue on PA 590
7.1 mi·12 min·Purdytown Tpk
7
Continue on PA 590
7.3 mi·13 min·Hamlin Highway
8
Turn right onto PA 348
1.2 mi·2 min·Mount Cobb Highway
9
Continue on PA 348
1.0 mi·1 min·Mount Cobb Road
10
Continue on PA 348
0.9 mi·1 min·Mt Cobb Road
11
Continue on PA 348
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Cobb Road
12
Turn left onto Line Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Line Road
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
14
Merge onto I 84
7.7 mi·9 min·I 84
15
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
16
Merge onto I 81
35 mi·42 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
18
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
20
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
21
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
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
23
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
24
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
25
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
30
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
31
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
32
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels high, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 6-hour and 36-minute duration. Since the route is turn-heavy and local-focused, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive in Pittsburgh before the evening traffic peaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to straight highway driving. With a $52 fuel budget in mind, try to time your refueling stops during the longest 98.5-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to avoid searching for stations on smaller, winding segments. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a quick rest if the technical nature of the roads starts to wear you down.
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 156.6 miles from Hawley, PA, or about 3h 13m 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 13m 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 12m
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 Hawley, 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 Hawley, PA
This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Hawley, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 164.7 and 313.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
164.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
189.1 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
299 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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
312.4 mi into trip|~6h 33m 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
313.2 mi into trip|~6h 35m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.94 one way
$103.88 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$56.89
$113.77
premium
$4.93
$60.76
$121.52
diesel
$5.61
$69.17
$138.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Purdytown Turnpike
(1 mi)$0.07
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 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
1
$32.90
$15.04
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
EV Truck/SUV
125.3
1
$43.86
$20.05
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 19, 2026
Origin
Hawley, PA
Late night
in Hawley on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
157 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
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
6h 36m 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 248.5
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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 248.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 18 percent of this route consists of high-speed highway travel. You will encounter a mix of fast stretches and tighter, more deliberate road segments that demand steady focus. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip is a 98.5-mile stretch along the Keystone Shortway, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire journey. Beyond that, the route shifts into a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged through local sections. It is a drive that rewards drivers who prefer active steering over the repetitive drone of long-distance highway miles.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?
8/10
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 164.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 313.3 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 164.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299 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 Hawley, 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 36m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m 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.
Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Purdytown Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 164.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299 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, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
