Connecting Williamsport to Pittsburgh, this 195.8-mile journey typically takes about 3 hours and 29 minutes to complete. Because the travel time is relatively manageable, you can easily handle this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-180 West, the Susquehanna Beltway, and the Appalachian Thruway. With fuel costs estimated at $32, it is a budget-friendly way to cross Pennsylvania. Since both cities are located within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your transit. This route is ideal for travelers looking for a direct path between these two Pennsylvania hubs.
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
97.8 miles from Williamsport, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Appalachian Thruway
15.9 mi
18m
Susquehanna Beltway
13.8 mi
18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Keystone Shortway
11.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsport, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Market Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Market Street
2
Take the ramp
196 ft·6 sec
Toward I 180 West, US 220 South, US 15 North: Lock Haven, Mansfield
3
Continue on US 15
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 15
Toward I 180 West, US 220 South, US 15 North: Lock Haven, Mansfield
4
Merge onto I 180; US 15; US 220
1.6 mi·2 min·Susquehanna Beltway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220
12 mi·16 min·Susquehanna Beltway
Toward US 220 South: Lock HavenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 220
16 mi·18 min·Appalachian Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 107Toward PA 477: Salona
8
Turn right onto PA 477
439 ft·10 sec·Long Run Road
9
At end of road, turn left onto PA 64
4.4 mi·7 min·Nittany Valley Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
11
Merge onto I 80; US 220
12 mi·12 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
13
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
14
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
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
17
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
18
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
23
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
24
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
25
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 29 minute duration, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and keep yourself refreshed. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive in Pittsburgh with plenty of daylight to navigate local traffic. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, monitor your fuel levels before heading out to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the shorter distance allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions. Remember that because this is a turn-heavy route, you should prioritize comfort and frequent hydration to stay sharp behind the wheel.
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 97.8 miles from Williamsport, PA, or about 1h 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 43 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.8 miles or 1h 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 3h 22m
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 Williamsport, 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 Williamsport, PA
This is one driving day of about 195.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Williamsport, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 195.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2 mi into trip|~3m in|US 220 / Susquehanna Beltway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 220 / Susquehanna Beltway toward US 220 South: Lock Haven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 220 South: Lock Haven
6
47 mi into trip|~1h 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
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
194.8 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
195.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.43 one way
$64.86 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$35.52
$71.03
premium
$4.93
$37.93
$75.87
diesel
$5.61
$43.19
$86.37
Estimated Tolls: $1.11
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.38
$12.52
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 14, 2026
Origin
Williamsport, PA
Morning
in Williamsport on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 7 mph14% 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
12 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 14m 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 128.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 134.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features no highway-heavy stretches. You will be navigating local roads, which demands more focus than a standard freeway cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, your hands will stay busy on the steering wheel as you navigate the winding path. The road's personality is defined by its technical nature, making it a more engaging experience than a simple sprint across the state. Keep your eyes on the road, as the lack of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means you will encounter frequent changes in your driving environment.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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 2 miles in near US 220 / Susquehanna Beltway.
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 17 significant decision points across 195.6 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 2 miles (US 220 / Susquehanna Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 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 Williamsport, 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 14m. Total distance: 195.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m 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 $1.11 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 2 miles (US 220 / Susquehanna Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.3 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsburgh, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
