Origin
Kennett Square, PA
Morning in Kennett Square on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kennett Square, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
275.4 mi
443 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 23m
★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennett Square, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kennett Square, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 36m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 283, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Brandywine Valley region to the western part of the state. It's a straightforward trip that's easy to complete in a single day. Most of the route is on major highways, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
137.7 miles from Kennett Square, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 191.3 mi | 3h 29m |
| PA 283 | 28.9 mi | 34m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Gap-Newport Pike | 10 mi | 17m |
| Old Philadelphia Pike | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| Gap Newport Pike | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| Newport Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| US 30 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 191.3 mi, about 3h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennett Square, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on East State Street
31 ft
·
4 sec
·
East State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 82
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Union Street
3
Continue on PA 82
461 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Unionville Road
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 1 South, PA 82 Alternate Truck North
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 1
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Kennett-Oxford Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward PA 41: Avondale, Chatham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto PA 41
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Gap-Newport Pike
8
Enter roundabout onto PA 41
137 ft
·
1 sec
·
Gap-Newport Pike
9
Continue on PA 41
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Gap-Newport Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on PA 41
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Gap Newport Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 41
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Newport Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 41
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Gap-Newport Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
182 ft
·
5 sec
14
Merge onto US 30
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Lincoln Highway
15
Turn right onto PA 772
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Newport Road
16
Continue on PA 340; PA 772
7.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Old Philadelphia Pike
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 30 West
18
Merge onto US 30
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 30
19
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283
29 mi
·
34 min
·
PA 283
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Use the left lane.
21
Merge onto I 283
406 ft
·
1 min
·
I 283
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
23
Merge onto I 76; PATP
191 mi
·
3 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
26
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
27
Merge onto I 376; US 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use 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
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving Kennett Square in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. The 275.4-mile trip is easily manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for a brief stop, as you're only recommended one. Given the $46 fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before you leave to avoid needing to refuel too early. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to PA 283 as you get closer to Pittsburgh.
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 137.7 miles from Kennett Square, PA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.3 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 61 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 2h 58m 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 34m
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 Kennett Square, 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 Kennett Square, PA
This is one driving day of about 275.4 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Kennett Square, 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 191.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.7 miles from Kennett Square, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 191.3 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 261.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward US 1 South, PA 82 Alternate Truck North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 1 South, PA 82 Alternate Truck North
7
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward PA 41: Avondale, Chatham
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 PA 41: Avondale, Chatham
7
39.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
PA 283
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283 toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
8
260.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m 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
261.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.66 one way
$91.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $50.01 | $100.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.41 | $106.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.80 | $121.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $24.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(191.3 mi)
$24.87
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
$46
Tolls
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.6 | 1 | $28.92 | $13.22 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.10 | $11.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.2 | 1 | $38.56 | $17.63 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Hancock, MD
138 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
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
5h 36m 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.
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 95
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 199.5
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 57
View on nps.gov
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 228
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 86% of the 275.4 miles on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 191.3 miles, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, expect a shift to surface roads as you approach Pittsburgh. The high highway share means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and potentially many exits in certain sections.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 283. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 275.4 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,541 ft
358 ft
Total Climb
3,010 ft
Total Descent
2,629 ft
Highest Point
2,541 ft
~216.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,183 ft
Notable High Points
1,529 ft at ~118 miles
+559 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kennett Square, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Patp Toll: Philadelphia and Monroeville.
Patp Toll: Philadelphia
68.6 mi in
|
~1h 40m
Monroeville
260.6 mi in
|
~5h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Kennett Square, PA
Full guide →Founded 1682
Kennett Square is a small, suburban town in Chester County, Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles west of Philadelphia. It is home to about 6,200 people (2019) and is known for its mushroom production.
Top landmarks
- • Longwood Gardens — botanical garden in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States
Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA
Full guide →Founded 1758
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
- • Allegheny Observatory — historic observatory of the University of Pittsburgh
- • Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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 5h 36m. Total distance: 275.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.87 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.
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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.7 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and First State National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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