South Union, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 228 miles and takes about 5 hours via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, primarily utilizing surface roads. The route offers a more leisurely pace compared to a full interstate drive. With a single recommended stop and a drive time under 5 hours, this is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without feeling rushed.
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
114 miles from South Union, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
Appalachian Thruway
42.6 mi
48m
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
Keystone Shortway
11.8 mi
12m
Susquehanna Beltway
11.4 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,408 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,675
Quietest
1 AM
~78 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 South Union, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on South Union Road
81 ft·6 sec·South Union Road
2
Turn right onto T329
0.9 mi·3 min·Beck Road
3
Turn right onto T329
1.5 mi·5 min·Salt Spring Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 414
4.3 mi·7 min·PA 414
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 414
0.4 mi·39 sec·Blockhouse Road
6
Turn right onto PA 414
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 414
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
8
Merge onto I 99; US 15
27 mi·30 min·Appalachian Thruway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 220 South: Lock HavenUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 220
11 mi·15 min·Susquehanna Beltway
11
Continue on US 220
16 mi·18 min·Appalachian Thruway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 107Toward PA 477: Salona
13
Turn right onto PA 477
439 ft·10 sec·Long Run Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto PA 64
4.4 mi·7 min·Nittany Valley Drive
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
16
Merge onto I 80; US 220
12 mi·12 min·Keystone Shortway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
18
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
19
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
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
21
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
22
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
23
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
28
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
29
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
30
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Pittsburgh without needing an overnight stay. You'll want to plan for your single recommended stop, perhaps midway through the 228-mile journey, to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; consider a slightly earlier departure if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to arrive in Pittsburgh with extra time for the evening.
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 114 miles from South Union, PA, or about 2h 27m 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 50 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114 miles or 2h 27m 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
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 South Union, 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 South Union, PA
This is one driving day of about 228 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from South Union, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 227.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.7 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward US 220 South: Lock Haven
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 220 South: Lock Haven
6
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
213.7 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
227.2 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
227.9 mi into trip|~5h in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.20 one way
$74.40 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$40.91
$81.81
premium
$4.86
$43.65
$87.30
diesel
$5.40
$48.50
$97.00
Estimated Tolls: $2.98
Appalachian Thruway
(26.7 mi)$1.87
Appalachian Thruway
(15.9 mi)$1.11
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
$37
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.95
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.92
$14.59
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Apr 24, 2026
Origin
South Union, PA
Morning
in South Union on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
11 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
5h 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 165.1
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 165.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 23% of the 228 miles on highways like I-99. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch of 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway. Expect to navigate through towns and local traffic for a significant portion of the 5-hour trip. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you move away from the limited interstate sections.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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?
8/10
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 34.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 228 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 34.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.7 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Union, 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.
Top landmarks
•Carnegie Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
•Allegheny Observatory — historic observatory of the University of Pittsburgh
•Carnegie Museum of Art — museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 228 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 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 $2.98 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 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 34.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pittsburgh, PA before the return drive.
