Spanning 279.7 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Tunkhannock to Pittsburgh typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can easily tackle this route in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path requires a mix of roads, including the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward connection between the Northeast and the western part of the state.
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 Tunkhannock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m 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
PA 87
25.9 mi
45m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Route 220 Highway
17.2 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tunkhannock, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 29
0.1 mi·30 sec·Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 6
2.1 mi·3 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Merge onto US 6
4.0 mi·6 min·Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto PA 87
3.6 mi·5 min·PA 87
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto PA 87
22 mi·39 min·PA 87
6
Turn right onto PA 87
0.3 mi·38 sec·Mill Street
7
Turn left onto PA 87; US 220
0.7 mi·45 sec·South German Street
8
Continue on US 220
4.9 mi·5 min·Appalachian Throughway
9
Continue on US 220
0.5 mi·35 sec·Appalachian Thruway
10
Continue on US 220
4.2 mi·4 min·Cliff Avenue
11
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
0.5 mi·31 sec·Appalacian Thruway
12
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
0.2 mi·10 sec·Appalachian Thruway
13
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
17 mi·19 min·Route 220 Highway
14
Continue on US 220
4.4 mi·6 min·North Main Street
15
Continue on PA 405
1.9 mi·2 min·PA 405
16
Continue on PA 405
0.8 mi·1 min·PA 405
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
18
Merge onto I 180
12 mi·13 min·I 180
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
20
Merge onto I 80
51 mi·54 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
22
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
23
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
24
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
25
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
26
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
27
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
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.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
32
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
33
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
34
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
35
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh before finishing the remainder of the 279.7-mile trek. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 cost estimate assumes consistent highway speeds. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level. Be prepared to switch between the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99, so keep your navigation tools handy for those transitions.
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 139.8 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 2h 58m 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 62 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 2h 58m 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 47m
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 Tunkhannock, 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 Tunkhannock, PA
This is one driving day of about 279.7 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Tunkhannock, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 131.1 and 279.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
131.1 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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...
6
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
8
265.4 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
278.8 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
279.6 mi into trip|~6h 1m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.37 one way
$92.74 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.79
$101.57
premium
$4.93
$54.24
$108.49
diesel
$5.61
$61.75
$123.51
Estimated Tolls: $0.04
Appalachian Thruway
(0.5 mi)$0.04
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.37
$13.43
Efficient EV
69.9
0
$24.47
$11.19
EV Truck/SUV
111.9
1
$39.16
$17.90
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Tunkhannock, PA
Morning
in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 to 18 mph33% chanceLive 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
36 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
6h 1m 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 212.2
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 221.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different types of thoroughfares. With 38% of your journey spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of high-speed travel and slower-paced sections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the William Penn Highway, which covers 61.2 miles of the trip. The road personality shifts throughout the drive, moving from local stretches into more sustained highway segments. Staying alert is key, as the changing road conditions require you to remain attentive behind the wheel.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 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
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 131.1 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 20 significant decision points across 279.7 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 131.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,199 ft510 ft
Total Climb
689 ft
Total Descent
539 ft
Highest Point
1,199 ft
~179.8 mi in
Elevation Range
689 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tunkhannock, 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 6h 1m. Total distance: 279.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m 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 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.04 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 131.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 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 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 Pittsburgh, PA before the return drive.
