Origin
Pen Argyl, PA
Late night in Pen Argyl on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pen Argyl, 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
6h 7m
Distance
307.9 mi
496 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 55m
★
6 AM
6h 8m
8 AM
6h 33m
10 AM
6h 17m
12 PM
6h 14m
3 PM
6h 18m
5 PM
6h 32m
8 PM
6h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pen Argyl, PA
Wavy. revolution
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 307.9-mile journey from Pen Argyl to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 6 hours and 7 minutes to complete. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 75% of the drive utilizing major interstates and turnpikes. You can expect a fuel cost of around $51 for this trip. With one recommended stop, it's a manageable drive for most, though the longest stretch without a break is a considerable 170.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This drive offers a direct path across the state, moving you from the Northeast region to its western counterpart.
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
154 miles from Pen Argyl, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 170.5 mi | 3h 7m |
| William Penn Highway | 43.1 mi | 51m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 17.1 mi | 23m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| PA 33 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| East Pennsylvania Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 170.5 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pen Argyl, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 512
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Continue on PA 512
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lehigh Avenue
3
Continue on PA 512
459 ft
·
20 sec
·
Park Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 512
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway (Old Route 115)
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward PA 33 South
6
Merge onto PA 33
11 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
17 mi
·
23 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
51 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
44 min
·
I 81
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 11 South
Use the right lane.
15
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 76; PATP
171 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
21
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
22
Merge onto I 376; US 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Second Avenue
25
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ross Street
26
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
27
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 7-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a day trip. To make the most of your time, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. The longest stretch is over 170 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan for a substantial stop around that point for fuel and a stretch. While the drive is manageable in one day, having flexibility with your timing is key. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long stretch on the turnpike, as services can be spaced out.
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 154 miles from Pen Argyl, PA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.5 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 68 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 3h 11m 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 59m
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 Pen Argyl, 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 Pen Argyl, PA
This is one driving day of about 307.9 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Pen Argyl, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 170.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154 miles from Pen Argyl, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.5 miles.
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 293.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
8
120.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
120.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
122.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
293.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.05 one way
$102.09 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $55.91 | $111.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $59.71 | $119.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.98 | $135.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.37
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(170.5 mi)
$22.17
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(17.1 mi)
$1.20
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.33 | $14.78 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.94 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.11 | $19.71 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
54°F
Hancock, MD
154 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
17 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 7m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 307.9-mile trip, with 75% of the drive on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81. The character of the drive is largely defined by these faster routes, offering efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 170.5 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your breaks accordingly. While largely a highway grind, the transition between these main arteries should provide some variation as you traverse the state.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 307.9 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Pen Argyl, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.
Middlesex
120.5 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Patp
121.8 mi in
|
~2h 35m
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 6h 7m. Total distance: 307.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.37 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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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