Pittsburgh to South Temple is 265.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222, and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily within Pennsylvania. You'll be on the highway for almost the entire trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. It's a single-day trip, so you can plan to arrive with plenty of time left.
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
132.6 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
230.8 mi
4h 12m
US 222
14.2 mi
18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.6 mi
18m
Frush Valley Road
1.3 mi
5m
Centre Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Bellevue Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Kutztown Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 230.8 mi, about 4h 12m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,243 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 South Temple, 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
231 mi·4 hr 12 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
13
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
14
Continue on US 222
11 mi·15 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·49 sec
Toward PA 61 North: Centre AvenueUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto PA 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Bellevue Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Bellevue Avenue
18
Turn left onto Kutztown Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Kutztown Road
19
Turn right onto Frush Valley Road
1.3 mi·5 min·Frush Valley Road
20
Turn right onto Georgia Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Georgia Road
21
Arrive at destination
Georgia Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning is your best bet to arrive in South Temple with daylight to spare. You'll only need one stop, so consider breaking up the 230.8-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices before you leave 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 132.6 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.8 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Temple, 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 8m.
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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 230.8 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 14.3 and 261.1 — 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
7
245.7 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
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 US 222: Reading, Ephrata
6
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
6
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.30 one way
$92.60 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$50.69
$101.39
premium
$5.20
$54.23
$108.46
diesel
$6.28
$65.50
$131.01
Estimated Tolls: $30.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(230.8 mi)$30.01
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
$46
Tolls
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
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, 2026-10-19.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
South Temple, PA
Morning
in South Temple on Sunday
Local time
6:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
42°F
King, PA
133 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 8m 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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 182.8
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 82.3
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 228.5
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
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 100.6
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 45.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 230.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll transition from highway to surface roads towards the end of your drive. Expect a lot of exits and merging traffic as you navigate the highway system.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. 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 Effort9/10
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 17 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 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 245.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,344 ft373 ft
Total Climb
2,008 ft
Total Descent
2,043 ft
Highest Point
2,344 ft
~75.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,971 ft
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 South Temple, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg and Ephrata.
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
•Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
•Andy Warhol Museum — art museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $30.01 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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 South Temple, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 245.7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Temple, PA before the return drive.
