Crossing Pennsylvania from Jim Thorpe to Pittsburgh covers 270.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes of active driving time. Because this route relies on a turn-heavy local drive rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day on the road. Budgeting approximately $45 for fuel is a smart move for this journey across the state. While it is possible to complete the trip in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a substantial undertaking. You are traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the eastern side of the state to the western edge. Keep in mind that the lack of highway driving means your speed will fluctuate significantly as you navigate local thoroughfares.
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
134.5 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
95.2 mi
1h 43m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
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
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
East Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jim Thorpe, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on West 6th Street
135 ft·8 sec·West 6th Street
2
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi·1 min·North Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
4
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
5
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
6
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
7
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
8
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
9
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
10
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
11
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
12
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
14
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
15
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
17
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
19
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
20
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
21
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
22
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
23
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
24
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
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.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
29
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
30
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
31
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high during this nearly 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for the more technical turns. Since the route is entirely local, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset after navigating the initial segments. Be mindful that local roads can be unpredictable, so keep your fuel levels topped off before heading out to ensure your $45 budget covers the full distance without worry. Because this trip is a direct 1-day commitment, prioritize a consistent pace that respects the winding nature of the streets. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for frequent signage changes, as the transition between local roads requires more navigation than a standard highway drive.
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 134.5 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 37m 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 23m
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 Jim Thorpe, 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 Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 268.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Jim Thorpe, 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 95.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 120.3 and 268.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
144.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
254.6 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
268.1 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 34m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.58 one way
$89.16 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.83
$97.65
premium
$4.93
$52.15
$104.30
diesel
$5.61
$59.37
$118.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.7
0
$28.23
$12.91
Efficient EV
67.2
0
$23.53
$10.76
EV Truck/SUV
107.6
1
$37.65
$17.21
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Jim Thorpe, PA
Afternoon
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
12:13 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
16 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over highway cruising. With 0% of this route classified as highway driving, you will spend your time navigating North Street, Lehigh Avenue, and East Catawissa Street. The road profile is strictly turn-heavy, requiring your full attention as you transition between these local connections. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path demands constant engagement with the steering wheel and frequent adjustments to your speed. You will find that the character of the drive remains consistent throughout the 270.9-mile journey, favoring technical precision over high-speed travel.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 120.3 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 13 significant decision points across 268.9 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 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.8 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,999 ft525 ft
Total Climb
2,842 ft
Total Descent
2,800 ft
Highest Point
1,999 ft
~192.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,474 ft
Notable High Points
1,543 ft at ~19.2 miles+820 ft prominence
1,608 ft at ~96 miles+549 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jim Thorpe, 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 34m. Total distance: 268.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 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 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.8 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
