This 215.5-mile drive from Shamokin Dam, PA to Pittsburgh, PA will take you about 4 hours and 29 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll be traveling through Pennsylvania, primarily utilizing the William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, and I-99. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this route offers a straightforward journey across the state. The drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local road experience, so expect a more engaging pace than a pure interstate cruise. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct path between these two Pennsylvania cities without requiring an overnight stop.
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
107.7 miles from Shamokin Dam, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
Keystone Shortway
50.6 mi
54m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway
11.4 mi
13m
North Susquehanna Trail
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shamokin Dam, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on US 11; US 15
3.7 mi·5 min·North Susquehanna Trail
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
3
Merge onto PA 147
11 mi·13 min·Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 80 West: BellefonteUse the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
51 mi·54 min·Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
8
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
34 mi·36 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
12
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
13
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
13 mi·18 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
18
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
19
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
20
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour duration and 215.5-mile distance, starting your journey from Shamokin Dam in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $36, this route is efficient for a single-day adventure. You'll spend the longest continuous time, 61.2 miles, on the William Penn Highway, so be mindful of potential local traffic or speed limit changes during that segment. Since it's not an excessively long drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but planning for a few short breaks will keep you refreshed.
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 107.7 miles from Shamokin Dam, PA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shamokin Dam, 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 Shamokin Dam, PA
This is one driving day of about 215.5 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Shamokin Dam, 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 61.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.5 and 215.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
6
66.9 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
8
201.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
214.7 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward Second Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71B
Toward Second Avenue
7
215.4 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.73 one way
$71.45 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.13
$78.26
premium
$4.93
$41.79
$83.59
diesel
$5.61
$47.58
$95.16
Estimated Tolls: $0.80
Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway
(11.4 mi)$0.80
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.63
$10.34
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.86
$8.62
EV Truck/SUV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Shamokin Dam, PA
Morning
in Shamokin Dam on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 29m 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.
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 148.6
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 156
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, with only 22% of the journey on highways. The majority of your travel will be on local roads, including a significant 61.2-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway. This means you'll encounter more turns and varied speed limits, offering a more engaging drive than a typical interstate. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for a route that requires your attention as you navigate through different towns and landscapes. While there are highway segments, the overall feel is one of experiencing the local roads.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 15.5 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 15 significant decision points across 215.5 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 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.2 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,459 ft481 ft
Total Climb
2,385 ft
Total Descent
2,100 ft
Highest Point
2,459 ft
~153.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,978 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shamokin Dam, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
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 4h 29m. Total distance: 215.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.80 in tolls one way, starting with Central Susquehanna Valley 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 Pittsburgh, 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 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.2 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsburgh, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
