Origin
Mount Joy, PA
Morning in Mount Joy on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Joy, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
117.6 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Joy, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Joy to Pittsburgh is 117.6 miles and takes about 2h 37m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing familiar Northeast territory. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and local road navigation, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With a single recommended stop and a manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure.
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
58.8 miles from Mount Joy, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 29.6 mi | 45m |
| Dowler Highway | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| Mahaffey Grampian Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Route 286 Highway East | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| PA 286 Truck | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Curwensville Grampian Road | 4.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 29.6 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Joy, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Mount Joy Road
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Mount Joy Road
2
Turn right onto West Front Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Front Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 322; PA 153
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Front Street
4
Turn left onto US 322; PA 153
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Nichols Street
5
Turn right onto PA 153
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Front Street
6
Turn straight onto PA 153
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South 2nd Street
7
Continue on PA 879
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Clearfield Curwensville Highway
8
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Curwensville Grampain Highway
9
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Highway
10
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Road
11
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
1st Street
12
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
13
Continue on US 219
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colonel Drake Highway
15
Continue on US 219
515 ft
·
6 sec
·
Burnside - McGees Highway
16
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Burnside McGee Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Dowler Highway
18
Continue on PA 286
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Route 286 Highway East
19
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 286 Truck
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
20
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286 Truck
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 286 Truck
Toward US 119 South: Blairsville
21
Continue on US 119; PA 56; US 422 Business
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 119
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 119
Toward US 22 West, US 119 South: Blairsville, Pittsburgh
23
Merge onto US 22; US 119
30 mi
·
45 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
27
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
28
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
29
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 37m duration and single recommended stop, this trip offers considerable flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or to enjoy a leisurely pace. The $20 fuel estimate suggests keeping an eye on your tank, especially before heading out. Since the longest stretch is under 30 miles, you won't be committed to long periods without potential pull-offs for breaks or a quick stretch.
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 58.8 miles from Mount Joy, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.6 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 6m
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 Mount Joy, 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 Mount Joy, PA
This is one driving day of about 117.6 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Mount Joy, 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 29.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.8 miles from Mount Joy, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 57.8 and 117.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
PA 286 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
8
103.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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
116.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
117.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
Ross Street
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
117.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.50 one way
$38.99 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.35 | $42.71 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.81 | $45.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.96 | $51.93 |
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: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.35 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.29 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.53 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 14 mph
48% chance
Live forecast
46°F
Rayne, PA
59 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
15 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 22% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a varied driving experience, moving between local roads and some higher-speed sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 29.6 miles on the William Penn Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic drive that requires attention to navigation as you transition through different road types.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
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 57.8 miles in near PA 286 Truck.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 117.6 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 57.8 miles (PA 286 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 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 116.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Mount Joy, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Punxsutawney and Blairsville.
Punxsutawney
57.8 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via PA 286 Truck
Blairsville
57.8 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via PA 286 Truck
About the Cities
Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA
Full guide →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.
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 2h 37m. Total distance: 117.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.6 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.
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 57.8 miles (PA 286 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 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 116.8 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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