Jackson, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 228.1 miles and takes about 5h 1m via William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, and I-99, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and the state of Pennsylvania, offering a manageable single-day journey. Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for those seeking a direct but engaging drive.
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
114.1 miles from Jackson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m 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
Washingtonville Road
6.4 mi
11m
Broadway Road
6 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Derrs Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Derrs Road
2
Continue on Eagle Road
4.5 mi·10 min·Eagle Road
3
Turn right onto PA 254
3.0 mi·5 min·Rohrsburg Road
4
Continue on PA 254
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on PA 254
1.7 mi·3 min·Rohrsburg Road
6
Continue on PA 254
1.8 mi·3 min·Jerseytown Road
7
Continue on PA 254
6.4 mi·11 min·Washingtonville Road
8
Continue on PA 254
6.0 mi·10 min·Broadway Road
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
54 mi·58 min·Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
12
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
13
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
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
15
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
16
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
17
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
22
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
23
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
24
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration and single-day recommendation, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Pittsburgh without rushing. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or after completing the longest stretch on William Penn Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition from highway driving to more local roads where stations might be less frequent. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy nature beforehand, perhaps by reviewing the map for key junctions to ensure a smooth transition through the more local segments.
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 114.1 miles from Jackson, PA, or about 2h 27m 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 50 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, PA
This is one driving day of about 228.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Jackson, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.5 and 228 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
104 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
213.8 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
227.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
228 mi into trip|~5h in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.82 one way
$75.63 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$41.42
$82.83
premium
$4.93
$44.24
$88.47
diesel
$5.61
$50.36
$100.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.96
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.93
$14.60
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Jackson, PA
Afternoon
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
12:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
12:33 PM
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
31 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
5h 1m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 165.2
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 165.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans towards a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 21% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, giving you a significant taste of local road driving. Be prepared for a route that likely involves navigating various road types and potentially more frequent intersections and speed changes as you move between the main arteries and local segments. The character of the drive will shift as you progress, moving from highway segments to more community-oriented roads.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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 79.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 228.1 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 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.8 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 Jackson, 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 5h 1m. Total distance: 228.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m 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 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.8 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
