This 117.4-mile drive from Waterford to Pittsburgh, PA, will take you about 1 hour and 58 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on Route 19 and Route 6, with a portion on North Main Street. Since there's no highway driving, expect a more local feel throughout your journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19. This route is entirely within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward connection between these two Pennsylvania locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.6 miles from Waterford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
82.1 mi
1h 29m
Parkway North
11.4 mi
15m
Route 6/Route 19
7 mi
9m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Route 19
4.1 mi
5m
PA-198
3.1 mi
5m
Venango Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
I 579
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 82.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on US 19; PA 97
0.4 mi·52 sec·High Street
2
Continue on US 19; PA 97
0.2 mi·30 sec·Route 19
3
Enter roundabout onto US 19
78 ft·1 sec·Route 19
4
Continue on US 19
3.8 mi·5 min·Route 19
5
Continue on US 6; US 19
5.7 mi·7 min·Route 6/Route 19
6
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·North Main Street
7
Turn slight right onto US 6; US 19
0.9 mi·2 min·Venango Avenue
8
Continue on US 6; US 19
2.5 mi·3 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.3 mi·39 sec·River Street
10
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·47 sec·Cussewago Street
11
Turn left onto US 6; US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·Church Street
12
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.9 mi·2 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·14 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Army
14
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·16 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
15
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.3 mi·2 min·Route 6/Route 19
16
Enter roundabout onto PA 198
28 ft·0 sec·PA-198
17
Continue on PA 198
3.1 mi·5 min·PA-198
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
19
Merge onto I 79
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi·15 min·Parkway North
Exit 72Toward I 279: PittsburghUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579
0.9 mi·1 min·I 579
Toward I 579 South: Veterans BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft·14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
24
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft·3 sec·Bigelow Boulevard
25
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft·6 sec·Bigelow Square
Toward 6th AvenueUse the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft·11 sec·Sixth Avenue
27
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft·22 sec·Grant Street
28
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft·13 sec·Grant Street
29
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Pittsburgh and explore, or to return to Waterford by evening. With no specific stops recommended and a low fuel cost of $19, you have flexibility. Keep an eye out for the numerous turns indicated by the route's 'turn-heavy' profile, especially as you approach and enter Pittsburgh. Planning for potential local traffic delays, particularly during peak hours, is a good idea.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Waterford, PA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.1 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 26 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Waterford, 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 Waterford, PA
This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Waterford, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 82.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 116.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 19 / Route 19
Enter roundabout onto US 19 / Route 19
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 279 / Parkway North
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279 / Parkway North toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
7
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 579
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579 toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
6
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.43 one way
$38.86 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.28
$42.56
premium
$4.93
$22.73
$45.46
diesel
$5.61
$25.88
$51.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
Efficient EV
29.3
0
$10.25
$4.69
EV Truck/SUV
46.9
0
$16.41
$7.50
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Waterford, PA
Night
in Waterford on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Night
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
10:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
26 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
2h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of uninterrupted driving; instead, anticipate frequent turns and changes in road conditions as you navigate local roads. The journey is not designed for high speeds but for a more engaged driving experience. Be prepared for a dynamic route that requires your attention as you transition through different local environments.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.1 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Parkway North. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 19 / Route 19.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 19 / Route 19): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 104.2 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.1 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 19 / Route 19): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 104.2 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburgh, PA before heading back.
