Spanning 266.7 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Nesquehoning to Pittsburgh takes approximately 5 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget roughly $44 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Navigating this path requires a blend of the Keystone Shortway, the William Penn Highway, and I-99. While the duration is manageable for a dedicated driver, the winding nature of the roads makes it a more active experience than a straight interstate haul.
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
133.3 miles from Nesquehoning, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
95.2 mi
1h 43m
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
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
East Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nesquehoning, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on North Mermon Avenue
59 ft·7 sec·North Mermon Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 209
1.2 mi·2 min·East Catawissa Street
3
Turn left onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
4
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
5
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
6
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
7
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
8
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
9
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
10
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
11
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
12
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
13
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
15
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
17
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
18
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
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
20
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
21
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
22
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
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: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse 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 5.5-hour duration and the technical nature of the roads, plan to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight for the more winding sections. You should factor in at least one planned stop to break up the drive and keep your focus sharp through the turns. Because this route relies significantly on local roads, keep an eye on your fuel levels before starting the 95.2-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Since this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; don't hesitate to pull over if the turn-heavy segments become fatiguing. Prioritizing consistent pacing will make the long trek to Pittsburgh much more comfortable.
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 133.3 miles from Nesquehoning, PA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 36m 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 21m
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 Nesquehoning, 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 Nesquehoning, PA
This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Nesquehoning, 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 95.2 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 118.1 and 266.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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...
6
142.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
8
252.4 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
265.9 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
266.6 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.22 one way
$88.43 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.43
$96.85
premium
$4.93
$51.72
$103.45
diesel
$5.61
$58.88
$117.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.34
$17.07
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Nesquehoning, PA
Morning
in Nesquehoning on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:10PM EDT until April 14 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:51PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
26 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 32m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 202.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 202.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is only 19% highway, shifting the focus toward more technical local driving. You will spend your longest uninterrupted time on the road during a 95.2-mile stretch along the Keystone Shortway. The personality of the drive leans heavily toward a turn-heavy local profile, requiring your full attention as you navigate through the Pennsylvania landscape. Transitions between major roads keep the journey dynamic, moving away from the monotony of a typical interstate grind. Prepare for a trip that demands frequent adjustments to your speed and steering rather than one defined by cruise control.
Only 19% 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: 95.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 118.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 266.7 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 118.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nesquehoning, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 266.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 118.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 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 and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
