Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to North Towanda, PA

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

Drive Time

5h 32m

Distance

265.1 mi

427 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 20m ★

6 AM

5h 33m

8 AM

6h 0m

10 AM

5h 42m

12 PM

5h 40m

3 PM

5h 44m

5 PM

5h 58m

8 PM

5h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

township in Bradford County, Pennsylvania

North Towanda, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 265.1-mile journey from Pittsburgh to North Towanda, Pennsylvania, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost around $44, it's an economical option for a single-day adventure within the Northeast region. You'll primarily travel on the William Penn Highway, I-99, and US-220, experiencing a mixed drive profile. Given its manageable duration, it's perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

132.5 miles from Pittsburgh, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
William Penn Highway	61.6 mi	1h 25m
I 99	57.2 mi	1h 4m
US 220	51.9 mi	59m
Susquehanna Beltway	25 mi	30m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East	13.8 mi	19m
Admiral Peary Highway	13.7 mi	19m
Keystone Shortway	12.3 mi	13m
Appalachian Thruway	10.4 mi	11m

Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 61.6 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Grant Street

45 ft · 9 sec · Grant Street

Continue on Grant Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Grant Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 376 East: Monroeville

Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30

14 mi · 19 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 5 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 22

14 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 22

17 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 45 sec · this road

Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Merge onto I 99; US 220

41 mi · 44 min · I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220; US 322

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

12 mi · 14 min · I 99; US 220

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 80; US 220

12 mi · 13 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall

Turn left onto PA 64

4.5 mi · 7 min · Nittany Valley Drive

Turn right onto PA 477

345 ft · 6 sec · Long Run Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 39 sec

Turn sharp left onto US 220

5.7 mi · 6 min · Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway

Continue on US 220

0.3 mi · 17 sec · Appalachian Thwy

Continue on US 220

10 mi · 11 min · Appalachian Thruway

Continue on US 220

25 mi · 30 min · Susquehanna Beltway

Take the exit onto US 220

0.3 mi · 32 sec · US 220

Toward US 220 north: Halls, Pennsdale

Turn left onto US 220

5.0 mi · 5 min · Lycoming Mall Drive

Turn left onto US 220

52 mi · 59 min · US 220

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Turn left onto Patterson Boulevard

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Patterson Boulevard

Turn left onto US 6

433 ft · 13 sec · Reuter Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto James Street

385 ft · 14 sec · James Street

Turn left

0.1 mi · 39 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 32-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Pittsburgh to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and no need to split the journey, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches like the 61.6 miles on the William Penn Highway, to avoid unnecessary delays. Planning your fuel stops around the main roads like I-99 and US-220 will ensure a smooth and efficient trip to North Towanda.

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 132.5 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 58 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.5 miles or 2h 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 4h 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Towanda, 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 265.1 miles and 5h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

133 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

Minersville, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

State College, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.5 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–2 pm

+14127653200

Visit website

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+14122611717

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14122632142

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 18.9

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Cochran Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 18.9

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

+18774943833

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 18.9

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 18.9

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18887174544

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

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.

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.

90.2 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

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

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

132.1 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | I 99; US 220; US 322

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

136 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | I 99; US 220

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

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

148.4 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.95 one way

$87.90 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$48.14	$96.27
premium	$4.93	$51.41	$102.83
diesel	$5.61	$58.53	$117.06

Estimated Tolls: $0.73

Appalachian Thruway (10.4 mi) $0.73

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

$44

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 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	79.5	0	$27.84	$12.72
Efficient EV	66.3	0	$23.20	$10.60
EV Truck/SUV	106	1	$37.11	$16.97

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 16, 2026

Origin

Pittsburgh, PA

Morning in Pittsburgh on Sunday

Local time

6:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 14 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Destination

North Towanda, PA

Morning in North Towanda on Sunday

Local time

6:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°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

44 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

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 64

Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure

View on nps.gov

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 64

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

The drive offers a varied experience, with 46% of the route utilizing highways. You'll encounter a significant 61.6-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, providing a sustained period of travel on this primary road. The "mixed drive" profile suggests a blend of faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments, so be prepared for changes in speed and road conditions as you progress. This route isn't a monotonous interstate grind; expect a dynamic feel behind the wheel.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on William Penn Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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.

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 265.1 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.

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 North Towanda, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Mill Hall and Pennsdale.

Bedford

89.7 mi in | ~2h 6m

Mill Hall

160.9 mi in | ~3h 26m

Pennsdale

207.4 mi in | ~4h 24m | via US 220

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 5h 32m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.73 in tolls one way, starting with Appalachian Thruway. 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 North Towanda, 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.

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 North Towanda, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to North Towanda, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

Grand Concourse

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Restaurant

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

Orbis Caffe

Autel Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cochran Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pittsburgh, PA

North Towanda, PA

Same local time

44 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 32m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Pittsburgh, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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