Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
181.9 mi
293 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Jersey Shore, PA
Maydonshoots
This 181.9-mile drive from Pittsburgh to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just under 4 hours. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the William Penn Highway, I-99, and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, with about 39% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of around $30, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward journey through the state. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stay.
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
91 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 99 | 57.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.8 mi | 19m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Keystone Shortway | 12.3 mi | 13m |
| Appalachian Thruway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Nittany Valley Drive | 4.5 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Jersey Shore, PA.
Start on Grant Street
Continue on Grant Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
Merge onto US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
Turn left
Merge onto I 80; US 220
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 64
Turn right onto PA 477
Take the ramp
Turn sharp left onto US 220
Continue on US 220
Continue on US 220
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto Thomas Street
Continue on Bridge Street
Turn left onto Allegheny Street
Turn right onto Mount Pleasant Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this roughly 3-hour and 54-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential midday traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey, but it’s wise to plan for a break around the halfway point, especially given the longest stretch of 61.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $30, and ensure you have enough to comfortably reach your destination or a planned refueling spot. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between the William Penn Highway and I-99, as these can sometimes involve changes in traffic patterns.
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.
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 40 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jersey Shore, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA
This is one driving day of about 181.9 miles and 3h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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.
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 148.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.31 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $33.03 | $66.06 |
| premium | $4.93 | $35.28 | $70.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.16 | $80.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.10 | $8.73 |
| Efficient EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.92 | $7.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.47 | $11.64 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Jersey Shore on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive presents a mixed character, blending efficient highway travel with more traditional road experiences. You'll encounter stretches on the William Penn Highway, which contributes to the overall feel of the route. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 61.6 miles on this highway, offering a sustained period of driving before transitions. With 39% of the total mileage on highways, you'll experience periods of faster travel, balanced by segments that likely involve more local traffic and varied speed limits. This blend means you'll get a taste of different driving environments as you progress.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 181.9 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 0.7 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pittsburgh, PA and Jersey Shore, PA, road signs point toward Bedford and Mill Hall.
Bedford
Mill Hall
Founded 1758
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 181.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Pittsburgh, PA or browse trips ending in Jersey Shore, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
