Origin
Loretto, PA
Morning in Loretto on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Loretto, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
79 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Loretto, PA
Haneul Trac
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Loretto, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 79 miles and takes about 1 hour 58 minutes via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and the state of Pennsylvania, primarily utilizing surface roads. Expect a straightforward drive that should be manageable for most vehicles. With a duration under two hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for exploration upon arrival in Pittsburgh.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Loretto, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 44.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| Manor Drive | 5 mi | 9m |
| Saint Mary Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Loretto Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Second Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ross Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 44.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,320 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Loretto, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Sybeton Road
361 ft
·
9 sec
·
Sybeton Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Saint Mary Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Saint Mary Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Loretto Road
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Loretto Road
4
Continue on Manor Drive
5.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Manor Drive
5
Turn sharp left onto Rowena Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Rowena Drive
6
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 22 West: Blairsville
7
Continue on US 22
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
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: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
13
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
14
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of this trip, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. Leaving in the late morning or early afternoon should allow you to avoid the heaviest traffic. While there are no specific stops noted, the drive is under two hours, so you likely won't need extensive rest breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13, and plan to refuel before you leave Loretto if needed. The William Penn Highway is a significant portion of the route, so familiarize yourself with its conditions before you depart.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.5 miles from Loretto, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
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 Loretto, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Loretto, PA
This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Loretto, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 44.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Loretto, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 78.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
Rowena Drive
Turn sharp left onto Rowena Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
78.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
6
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
Ross Street
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
78.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.89 one way
$25.78 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
| premium | $4.86 | $15.13 | $30.25 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $16.80 | $33.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.06 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
4 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
1h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 17% highway driving, with the longest stretch on the William Penn Highway covering 44.8 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads, which make up the majority of this trip. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach Pittsburgh. The Penn-Lincoln Parkway East will likely offer a more urban driving experience as you get closer to your destination.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near Rowena Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (Rowena Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 64.7 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; at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Loretto, PA
Full guide →Founded 1816
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 1h 58m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (Rowena Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 64.7 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; at 78.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburgh, PA before heading back.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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