Lehigh, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 298.7 miles and takes about 6h 8m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to its western counterpart. With a recommended single day of driving, this route offers a straightforward path across the state. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, making it a relaxed option for those who prefer less interstate time.
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
149.4 miles from Lehigh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
132.1 mi
2h 25m
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
I 380
12 mi
13m
Main Street
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,111 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,553
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lehigh, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on this road
60 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Continue on Lehigh Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Lehigh Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto PA 507
3.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
5
Merge onto I 380
12 mi·13 min·I 380
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: Hazleton
7
Merge onto I 80
132 mi·2 hr 25 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
9
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
10
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
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
13
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
14
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
19
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
20
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
21
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic and to maximize daylight. While it's feasible in one day, plan for one stop to break up the 298.7 miles. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 130 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $49, it's an economical choice for a cross-state trip.
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 149.4 miles from Lehigh, PA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 66 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.4 miles or 2h 53m 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 49m
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 Lehigh, 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 Lehigh, PA
This is one driving day of about 298.7 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Lehigh, 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 132.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 298.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.6 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
6
150.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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...
8
284.4 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
297.9 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
298.6 mi into trip|~6h 8m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.63 one way
$95.25 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$52.71
$105.42
premium
$4.81
$56.54
$113.08
diesel
$4.80
$56.40
$112.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.6
1
$31.36
$14.34
Efficient EV
74.7
0
$26.14
$11.95
EV Truck/SUV
119.5
1
$41.82
$19.12
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lehigh, PA
Afternoon
in Lehigh on Sunday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
3:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
6h 8m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 236.9
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,...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
$10
near mile 10.3
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 236.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a highway share of 20%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway, the Keystone Shortway, covers 132.1 miles. You'll notice a shift from more developed areas to rural cruising as you progress westward. The limited highway percentage suggests frequent transitions between different road types.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 17.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 298.7 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 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 150.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.4 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
2,090 ft551 ft
Total Climb
2,586 ft
Total Descent
3,708 ft
Highest Point
2,090 ft
~234.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,539 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lehigh, 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 298.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m 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 132.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 150.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.4 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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.
