McConnellstown to Pittsburgh is 122.3 miles and takes about 2h 57m via William Penn Highway and US 22, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the same area. Expect a mix of driving experiences as you transition from surface roads to highways. With a recommended one-day duration, this trip is designed for efficient travel, getting you to your destination without requiring an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from McConnellstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
69.7 mi
1h 42m
US 22
30.5 mi
39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Raystown Road
3.5 mi
6m
North Juniata Street
1.1 mi
2m
Municipal Drive
1.1 mi
1m
Blair Street
0.9 mi
2m
Second Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 69.7 mi, about 1h 42m
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
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 McConnellstown, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 26
3.5 mi·6 min·Raystown Road
2
Continue on PA 26
0.1 mi·18 sec·Bedford Pike
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 22
25 mi·36 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn slight left onto US 22
0.9 mi·2 min·Blair Street
Toward US 22 WestUse the slight left lane.
6
Continue on US 22
0.1 mi·12 sec·South Juniata Street
7
Continue on North Juniata Street
1.1 mi·2 min·North Juniata Street
8
Continue on Municipal Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Municipal Drive
9
Continue on Colonial Drive
0.2 mi·29 sec·Colonial Drive
10
Turn left onto Carson Valley Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Carson Valley Road
11
Turn left onto PA 764
343 ft·12 sec·PA 764
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
13
Continue on US 22
0.3 mi·21 sec·US 22
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
30 mi·39 min·US 22
Toward US 22 West: EbensburgUse the slight right 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
Since this trip is under three hours, you can comfortably leave anytime, but an early start will give you maximum flexibility. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $20 for the entire 122.3 miles. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from the William Penn Highway to US 22; this is where you'll see a noticeable change in speed and road type, so adjust accordingly before you hit the faster sections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from McConnellstown, PA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.7 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
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 McConnellstown, 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 McConnellstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 122.3 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from McConnellstown, 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 William Penn Highway for about 69.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 122.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
33 mi into trip|~51m in|US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
8
108 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
121.5 mi into trip|~2h 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
7
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.95 one way
$39.91 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$21.94
$43.88
premium
$4.86
$23.42
$46.83
diesel
$5.40
$26.02
$52.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
EV Truck/SUV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026
Origin
McConnellstown, PA
Morning
in McConnellstown on Sunday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 6 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
10:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Rain Showers
W 7 to 10 mph93% chanceLive 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
10 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
2h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 54.8
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 63.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this route is highway driving. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 69.7 miles along the William Penn Highway. You'll notice a shift from more rural cruising on William Penn Highway to merging with faster traffic as you approach Pittsburgh on the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. Prepare for increased exit density as you get closer to the city.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.7 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 122.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 33 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108 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.
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 2h 57m. Total distance: 122.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.7 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 33 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108 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 and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburgh, PA before heading back.
