Jenkintown to Pittsburgh is 303.7 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, this route is a straightforward transit, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the turnpike, so expect a consistent driving 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
151.8 miles from Jenkintown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
283.9 mi
5h 8m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.2 mi
18m
Jenkintown Road
2.5 mi
5m
Limekiln Pike
1 mi
1m
West Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Susquehanna Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Second Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Walnut Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 283.9 mi, about 5h 8m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,243 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jenkintown, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on West Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·West Avenue
2
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·Walnut Street
3
Continue on Jenkintown Road
2.5 mi·5 min·Jenkintown Road
4
Continue on PA 152
1.0 mi·1 min·Limekiln Pike
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 152
0.3 mi·41 sec·Susquehanna Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto Virginia Drive
0.2 mi·26 sec·Virginia Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP Toll West: Valley Forge
8
Merge onto I 276; PATP
284 mi·5 hr 8 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
11
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
12
Merge onto I 376; US 22
13 mi·18 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
15
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
16
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
17
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under six hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Jenkintown in the morning should allow you to reach Pittsburgh with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway mark on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing or at your planned stop. Given the high percentage of highway driving, be mindful of the continuous flow of traffic and the frequent interchanges as you get closer to your destination.
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 151.8 miles from Jenkintown, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.9 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.8 miles or 2h 51m 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 36m
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 Jenkintown, 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 Jenkintown, PA
This is one driving day of about 303.7 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Jenkintown, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 283.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 303.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.1 mi into trip|~9m in|PA 152 / Susquehanna Road
At end of road, turn left onto PA 152 / Susquehanna Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
288.8 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
7
289.6 mi into trip|~5h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
302.9 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
303.6 mi into trip|~5h 43m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.45 one way
$106.89 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$58.44
$116.89
premium
$5.23
$62.49
$124.97
diesel
$6.18
$73.88
$147.76
Estimated Tolls: $36.90
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(283.9 mi)$36.90
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
$53
Tolls
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.1
1
$31.89
$14.58
Efficient EV
75.9
0
$26.57
$12.15
EV Truck/SUV
121.5
1
$42.52
$19.44
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Jenkintown, PA
Night
in Jenkintown on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
N 15 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Night
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 to 8 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
152 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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 43m 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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 115.2
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 230.4
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 73.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the travel occurring on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 283.9 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect the highway to conclude as you approach Pittsburgh, transitioning to the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. The high highway share means you'll encounter numerous exits and entry ramps throughout much of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near PA 152 / Susquehanna Road.
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 13 significant decision points across 303.7 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 4.1 miles (PA 152 / Susquehanna Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 288.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with National Landmarks, an active arts scene, and shops and restaurants. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Center City Philadelphia.
Top landmarks
•Jenkintown–Wyncote — SEPTA Regional Rail station
•Jenkins' Town Lyceum Building — building in Jenkintown, United States of America
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.
Top landmarks
•Carnegie Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
•Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
•Andy Warhol Museum — art museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 303.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 283.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $36.90 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.1 miles (PA 152 / Susquehanna Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 288.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.
