Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 27, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
279.5 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Sun Valley, PA
Erica On The Go
This 279.5-mile drive from Pittsburgh to Sun Valley, Pennsylvania, is a substantial journey that will take approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes. With a highway share of 28%, it's best suited for a single day, though you might consider an overnight stop to fully enjoy the experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $46. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route with a manageable fuel budget.
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
139.8 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 122.9 mi | 2h 15m |
| William Penn Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 99 | 57.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.8 mi | 19m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| PA 115 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Mathews Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,111 veh/hr typical · worst 1,553
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Sun Valley, PA.
Start on Grant Street
Continue on Grant Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
Merge onto US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
Turn left
Merge onto I 80; US 220
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto PA 115
Turn left onto Mathews Drive
Turn right onto Candlewood Lane
Turn right onto Allegheny Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour 40-minute duration, consider an early morning departure from Pittsburgh to maximize daylight and allow for a single, well-paced stop. With only one recommended stop, focus on finding a convenient spot along the Keystone Shortway for a break. The $46 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer. Pay close attention to the local road segments, as they can be more demanding than highway driving and may present unexpected turns or slower traffic.
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 61 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 3h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sun Valley, 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 279.5 miles and 5h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$45.60 one way
$91.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $50.14 | $100.29 |
| premium | $4.86 | $53.51 | $107.02 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $59.45 | $118.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.35 | $13.42 |
| Efficient EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.13 | $17.89 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Sun Valley on Sunday
Local time
8:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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 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...
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 Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 279.5-mile trip. While 28% of the route involves highway driving, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 122.9 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a dynamic driving experience, shifting between faster highway sections and more winding, local segments. The drive character suggests you'll need to stay engaged with the road.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 279.5 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Sun Valley, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
Founded 1758
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 279.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Pittsburgh, PA or browse trips ending in Sun Valley, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
