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Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Ferndale, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

72 mi

116 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 41m ★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ferndale, PA, PA

Ferndale, PA

Kai

Trip Overview

Pittsburgh to Ferndale is 72 miles and takes about 1 hour 48 minutes via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward drive. It's a good option for a quick trip, especially if you're looking for a relatively short travel time. You'll encounter a mix of road types, so be prepared for some variation in driving experience. The total fuel cost is estimated at $12, making it an economical choice for a single-day excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36 miles from Pittsburgh, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lincoln Highway 20.8 mi 32m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 13.6 mi 18m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 11 mi 11m
Menoher Highway 8.8 mi 12m
Menoher Boulevard 6 mi 9m
West Pittsburgh Street 3.1 mi 5m
Goucher Street 2.7 mi 4m
North Market Street 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 20.8 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Ferndale, PA.

1

Start on Grant Street

45 ft · 9 sec · Grant Street
2

Continue on Grant Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Grant Street
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
4

Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30

14 mi · 18 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 85 Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
6

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · this road
Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 76; PATP

11 mi · 11 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
9

Turn left onto Wendel Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Wendel Road
10

Merge onto US 30

4.8 mi · 8 min · Lincoln Highway
11

Turn right onto Tollgate Hill Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Tollgate Hill Road
12

Continue on West Pittsburgh Street

3.1 mi · 5 min · West Pittsburgh Street
13

Continue on US 30

16 mi · 23 min · Lincoln Highway
14

Turn left onto PA 711

0.1 mi · 14 sec · South Market Street
15

Enter roundabout onto PA 711

337 ft · 7 sec · North Market Street
16

Continue on PA 711

2.5 mi · 3 min · North Market Street
17

Turn right onto PA 271

8.8 mi · 12 min · Menoher Highway
18

Continue on PA 271

6.0 mi · 9 min · Menoher Boulevard
19

Turn right onto Goucher Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · Goucher Street
20

Turn right onto Summit Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Summit Avenue
21

Turn left onto Station Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Station Street
22

Turn right onto PA 403

147 ft · 2 sec · Ferndale Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

PA 403

Trip Plan

With a drive time of under two hours, this is a very manageable same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving Pittsburgh in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. The longest stretch is just over 20 miles on the Lincoln Highway, so you won't need to worry about extended periods without services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between highway and local roads, as stations can be less frequent off the main arteries.

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 36 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.8 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 16 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36 miles or 53m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferndale, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pittsburgh, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Pittsburgh, PA

This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Pittsburgh, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 20.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown New Stanton, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Stanton, PA

36 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

Murrysville, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lawson Heights, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36 miles from Pittsburgh, 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 51.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East

Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.3 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 85 Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
8
14.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
4
25.9 mi into trip | ~35m in | Wendel Road

Turn left onto Wendel Road

Navigation decision point

6
51.4 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | PA 711 / North Market Street

Enter roundabout onto PA 711 / North Market Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.94 one way

$23.87 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $13.07 $26.15
premium $4.93 $13.96 $27.93
diesel $5.61 $15.90 $31.79

Estimated Tolls: $1.44

Pennsylvania Turnpike (11 mi) $1.44

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

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.6 0 $7.56 $3.46
Efficient EV 18 0 $6.30 $2.88
EV Truck/SUV 28.8 0 $10.08 $4.61

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Pittsburgh, PA

Late night in Pittsburgh on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ferndale, PA

Late night in Ferndale on Sunday

Local time

4:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

17 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 48m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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 72
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 72
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is a mixed drive, with 34% of it on highways. You'll experience about 20.8 miles on the Lincoln Highway as the longest uninterrupted stretch, offering a consistent pace. The Penn-Lincoln Parkway East and Pennsylvania Turnpike segments will provide faster travel, while other sections may involve more local road conditions. Expect the drive to shift between quicker highway speeds and potentially slower, more varied segments as you progress toward Ferndale.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.8 mi on Lincoln 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 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.

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 72 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.7 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 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.

Between Pittsburgh, PA and Ferndale, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio and Harrisburg.

Patp: Ohio

14.3 mi in | ~20m

Harrisburg

14.3 mi in | ~20m

About the Cities

Starting 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 1h 48m. Total distance: 72 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). 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 20.8 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.44 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.

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 Ferndale, 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 0.7 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Ferndale, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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