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Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Rutherford, PA

Compiled 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 52m ★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m

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

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Rutherford, PA, PA

Rutherford, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 180.4 mi, about 3h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Rutherford, 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

180 mi · 3 hr 17 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 236 Toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 15 North: Harrisburg
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 15 North: Harrisburg Use the straight lane.
12

Merge onto US 15

2.8 mi · 4 min · US 15
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward PA 581 East: Harrisburg, York Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto PA 581

1.5 mi · 2 min · American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
15

Continue on PA 581

0.3 mi · 21 sec · American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Exit 6A Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg, Hershey
16

Merge onto I 83

4.6 mi · 6 min · I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 7 sec · this road
Exit 46B Toward US 322 East: Hershey
18

Continue on US 322

2.0 mi · 2 min · US 322
19

Turn left onto Mushroom Hill Road

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Mushroom Hill Road
20

At end of road, turn left onto Grayson Road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Grayson Road
21

Turn right onto South 63rd Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · South 63rd Street
22

Turn right onto Derry Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Derry Street
23

Turn left onto North 69th Street

0.2 mi · 53 sec · North 69th Street
24

Turn right onto Somerset Street

173 ft · 13 sec · Somerset Street
25

Turn left onto Rudy Alley

364 ft · 26 sec · Rudy Alley
26

Arrive at destination

Rudy Alley

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.7 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.4 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 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.

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 209.4 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 180.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough of Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Martinsburg, PA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

White, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Martinsburg, PA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

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

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14123811822

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5:30 pm–2 am

+14123816199

Visit website

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–9:30 pm

+14124888708

Visit website

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $30 to $50

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14124813336

Visit website

Orbis Caffe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Pittsburgh, PA

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14125631220

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 15

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 15

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

+18774943833

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Autel Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 29.9

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 74.8

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 29.9

Adamsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 209.4

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

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 14.3 and 199.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
195.2 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 236 Toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, Harr...
8
196 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 North: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 15 North: Harrisburg
7
199.1 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward PA 581 East: Harrisburg, York

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.72 one way

$69.43 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
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

Pennsylvania Turnpike (180.4 mi) $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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Pittsburgh, PA

Late night in Pittsburgh on Sunday

Local time

3:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 14 mph 48% chance Live forecast

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

Rutherford, PA

Late night in Rutherford on Sunday

Local time

3:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

15 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 4m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 187.8
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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 ~15 min detour Free near mile 79.4
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 209.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

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...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 50.6
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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 93.9
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 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.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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.

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 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.

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 Rutherford, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg and Gettysburg.

Patp: Ohio

14.3 mi in | ~20m

Harrisburg

14.3 mi in | ~20m

Gettysburg

195.2 mi in | ~3h 41m

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 180.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $23.45 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 Rutherford, 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 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.

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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Rutherford, 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.

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