If you are planning to travel from Pittsburgh to Tunkhannock, expect a journey covering 276.2 miles that typically takes about 6 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay, making it a straightforward trek across Pennsylvania. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. This trip keeps you within the Northeast region, transitioning from the western side of the state toward the Tunkhannock area. It is a practical drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without the need for multiple rest days.
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
138.1 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
US 220
31.5 mi
36m
Susquehanna Beltway
25 mi
30m
Carpenter Street
22.3 mi
39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.8 mi
19m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Keystone Shortway
12.3 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Tunkhannock, 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·19 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
10
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
12 mi·13 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
16
Turn left onto PA 64
4.5 mi·7 min·Nittany Valley Drive
17
Turn right onto PA 477
345 ft·6 sec·Long Run Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·39 sec
19
Turn sharp left onto US 220
5.7 mi·6 min·Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway
20
Continue on US 220
0.3 mi·17 sec·Appalachian Thwy
21
Continue on US 220
10 mi·11 min·Appalachian Thruway
22
Continue on US 220
25 mi·30 min·Susquehanna Beltway
23
Take the exit onto US 220
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 220
Toward US 220 north: Halls, Pennsdale
24
Turn left onto US 220
5.0 mi·5 min·Lycoming Mall Drive
25
Turn left onto US 220
31 mi·35 min·US 220
26
Turn right onto PA 87
173 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
27
Continue on PA 87
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mill Street
28
Turn left onto PA 87
22 mi·39 min·Carpenter Street
29
Continue on PA 87
3.6 mi·5 min·PA 87
30
Take the ramp
290 ft·8 sec
Toward US 6 East
31
Merge onto US 6
4.1 mi·6 min·Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn straight onto US 6
1.9 mi·3 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward US 6 Bypass East: Scranton
33
Turn left onto PA 29
0.1 mi·27 sec·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
PA 29
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since the itinerary includes at least one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final miles. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current local prices. Given the nature of this route, you have the flexibility to adjust your pacing based on your comfort level behind the wheel. Always verify your route before leaving, as the mix of highway and secondary roads requires steady attention to navigation.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.1 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 61 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 3h 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tunkhannock, 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 276.2 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.6 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 22
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.
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
90.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
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
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
6
132.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
136 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 99; US 220
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
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
148.4 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.79 one way
$91.58 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.15
$100.30
premium
$4.93
$53.57
$107.13
diesel
$5.61
$60.98
$121.96
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Appalachian Thruway
(10.4 mi)$0.73
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.00
$13.26
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.17
$11.05
EV Truck/SUV
110.5
1
$38.67
$17.68
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tunkhannock, PA
Morning
in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live 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
31 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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 66.7
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 66.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more grounded travel. You will spend about 38% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the William Penn Highway, I-99, and US-220 to navigate the terrain. The most significant sustained portion of your journey involves a 61.6-mile stretch along the William Penn Highway, which serves as the backbone of your route. Expect the road's personality to shift as you transition between these major arteries, moving from faster highway segments into the specific local roads required to reach Tunkhannock.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
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 22 significant decision points across 276.2 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.
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 Tunkhannock, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Mill Hall and Pennsdale.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 276.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.73 in tolls one way, starting with Appalachian Thruway. 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 Tunkhannock, 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 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.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tunkhannock, PA before the return drive.
