Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar
Near the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+14122611599
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
209.4 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Rutherford, PA
Haneul Trac
This 209.4-mile drive from Pittsburgh, PA, to Rutherford, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, and I-83, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it's an economical option for a quick trip. The consistent highway focus means you can cover significant ground efficiently, making it ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination without many detours.
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
104.7 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 180.4 mi | 3h 17m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| I 83 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| US 15 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| US 322 | 2 mi | 2m |
| American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Derry Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Grant Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Rutherford, PA.
Start on Grant Street
Continue on Grant Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 15
Take the exit
Merge onto PA 581
Continue on PA 581
Merge onto I 83
Continue on this road
Continue on US 322
Turn left onto Mushroom Hill Road
At end of road, turn left onto Grayson Road
Turn right onto South 63rd Street
Turn right onto Derry Street
Turn left onto North 69th Street
Turn right onto Somerset Street
Turn left onto Rudy Alley
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, so you can leave when it suits you best. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest 180.4-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Planning to leave mid-morning can help you avoid peak rush hour traffic leaving Pittsburgh.
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 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rutherford, 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 209.4 miles and 4h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 104.7 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 180.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+14122611599
Kiku Japanese Restaurant
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Grand Concourse
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Near the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+14122611599
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 12–2 pm
+14127653200
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+14122611717
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14122632142
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14123811822
Near the start, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5:30 pm–2 am
+14123816199
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 4–9:30 pm
+14124888708
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5–9 pm
+14124813336
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Pittsburgh, PA
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14125631220
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
+18774943833
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, ~10 min detour
North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Adamsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887174544
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17175668131
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 199.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 581 East: Harrisburg, York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$34.72 one way
$69.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $38.02 | $76.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $40.61 | $81.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.23 | $92.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.45
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
$35
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.99 | $10.05 |
| Efficient EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.32 | $8.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.8 | 1 | $29.32 | $13.40 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Late night in Rutherford on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
48°F
Martinsburg, PA
105 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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Scenic Trail
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused experience for 97% of this 209.4-mile route. You'll spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 180.4 miles. This means long, consistent stretches of driving, characteristic of a major interstate. While the profile is largely highway, the initial and final segments on parkways and interstates offer a typical urban-to-suburban transition before settling into the open road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 miles in.
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 209.4 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 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; at 195.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pittsburgh, PA and Rutherford, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg and Gettysburg.
Patp: Ohio
Harrisburg
Gettysburg
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 209.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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