This 242.8-mile journey from Pittsburgh to Richland, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of the drive on major roads. With a projected fuel cost of around $40, it's an economical option for a quick trip. You'll stay within the Northeast region throughout this drive. Considering its manageable duration and the fact that it's a one-stop route, this trip is well-suited for a straightforward day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
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
121.4 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
210.7 mi
3h 50m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.6 mi
18m
Schaeffer Road
5.9 mi
10m
Stiegel Pike
2.5 mi
2m
Lebanon Road
2.5 mi
3m
Elco Drive
2.2 mi
5m
Freeman Drive
1 mi
2m
Quentin Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 210.7 mi, about 3h 50m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,320 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Richland, 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 85Toward 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: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 76; PATP
211 mi·3 hr 50 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 72: Lebanon, ManheimUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·17 sec·this road
11
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·10 sec
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
12
Turn left onto PA 72
2.5 mi·3 min·Lebanon Road
13
Turn straight onto PA 72
0.7 mi·1 min·Quentin Road
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon
14
Turn right onto PA 419
0.2 mi·25 sec·Main Street
15
Continue on PA 419
1.0 mi·2 min·Freeman Drive
16
Continue on PA 419
354 ft·16 sec·Freeman Road
17
Turn left onto PA 419
5.9 mi·10 min·Schaeffer Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto PA 419; PA 897
0.2 mi·23 sec·Heidelberg Avenue
19
Turn left onto PA 501
2.5 mi·2 min·Stiegel Pike
20
Continue on PA 501
0.4 mi·30 sec·South College Street
21
Turn right onto Elco Drive
2.2 mi·5 min·Elco Drive
22
Continue on West Linden Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Linden Street
23
Turn left onto South Race Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Race Street
24
Turn right
92 ft·6 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 45-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially on the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. While the route has only one recommended stop, plan for breaks as needed, particularly given the longest stretch of 210.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Your estimated fuel cost is $40, so ensure your tank is full before setting off. Keep an eye out for potential tolls associated with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This drive is best tackled in one go, so focus on maintaining a steady pace.
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 121.4 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.7 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 19m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richland, 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 242.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 210.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 226.2 — 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
7
225.6 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward PA 72: Lebanon, Manheim
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 72: Lebanon, Manheim
7
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.61 one way
$79.23 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$43.56
$87.12
premium
$4.86
$46.49
$92.97
diesel
$5.40
$51.65
$103.30
Estimated Tolls: $27.39
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(210.7 mi)$27.39
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
$40
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.49
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.25
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.99
$15.54
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 26, 2026
Origin
Pittsburgh, PA
Evening
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Sunny
NE 3 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richland, PA
Evening
in Richland on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
9 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
4h 45m 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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 184.2
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 75.4
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 234.5
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 50.2
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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 100.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 242.8-mile trip. With 92% of the route on major highways, including a significant 210.7-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, this drive is characterized by consistent speed and efficient travel. You'll likely encounter smooth, high-speed conditions for extended periods, making it a straightforward, if not particularly varied, driving experience. The main roads, including Penn-Lincoln Parkway East and Schaeffer Road, largely contribute to this efficient, high-speed profile.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. You will hit about 17 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 Effort6/10
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 242.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 Richland, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg, Manheim and Hershey.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 242.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $27.39 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 Richland, 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 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 — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Richland, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
