Origin
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night in Pittsburgh on Tuesday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Metal, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
155 mi
249 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Metal, PA
Nic Wood
Trip Overview
This 155-mile drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Metal, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. With 95% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it an excellent option for a day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26, which is quite manageable. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, covering a significant 132.9 miles on this stretch alone. This route is best suited for travelers prioritizing speed and directness, as it primarily utilizes major roadways within the Northeast region.
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
77.5 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 132.9 mi | 2h 25m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Path Valley Road | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Grant Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Willow Hill Interchange | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 132.9 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Metal, 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
133 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on Willow Hill Interchange
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Willow Hill Interchange
11
Turn right onto PA 75
6.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Path Valley Road
12
Arrive at destination
PA 75
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and the highway-focused nature of this 155-mile route, you can comfortably tackle this as a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic leaving Pittsburgh. With the longest stretch being over 130 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan for one main stop midway for fuel or a quick break. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so keep that in mind for your budget. A specific tip for this drive: familiarize yourself with the Pennsylvania Turnpike's toll system beforehand to ensure a smoother experience.
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 77.5 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.9 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.5 miles or 1h 31m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metal, 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.
+
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 155 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Pittsburgh, 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 132.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.5 miles from Pittsburgh, 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 132.9 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Grant Street
Continue onto Grant Street
Navigation decision point
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
7
147.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
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 PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.70 one way
$51.39 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.14 | $56.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.06 | $60.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.22 | $68.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.28
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(132.9 mi)
$17.28
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
$26
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.28 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.56 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Metal, PA
Late night in Metal on Tuesday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Berlin, PA
78 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
5 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
3h 2m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 48.1
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 101.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 155-mile trip, with 95% of your drive taking place on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 132.9 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. You'll begin by navigating the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East out of Pittsburgh before merging onto the turnpike for the bulk of your journey. The profile suggests a smooth, high-speed drive for most of the way, with the final leg likely involving local roads like Path Valley Road as you approach Metal, PA.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Grant Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 155 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (Grant Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Pittsburgh, PA and Metal, 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 →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
- • Carnegie Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- • Allegheny Observatory — historic observatory of the University of Pittsburgh
- • Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Arriving in Metal, PA
Full guide →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 3h 2m. Total distance: 155 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.28 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Grant Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Metal, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Metal, PA
More trips to Metal, PA
Explore more options from Pittsburgh, PA or browse trips ending in Metal, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.