Woodland Heights, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 95.3 miles and takes about 2h 1m via I 79, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward drive between two points in the state. It's a relatively short trip, primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick transfer or a day trip. You'll find it to be a practical route with minimal complexity, ideal if you're looking for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Woodland Heights, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
45.1 mi
49m
Richard Frame Memorial Highway
11.5 mi
13m
Parkway North
11.4 mi
15m
Keystone Shortway
9.6 mi
10m
Allegheny Boulevard
6.7 mi
11m
Pittsburgh Road
2.8 mi
4m
15th Street
1.9 mi
3m
Pennsylvania Highway 257
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 45.1 mi, about 49m
Traffic on I-79
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,775 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,129
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.4×
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 Woodland Heights, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Innis Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Innis Street
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 257
1.0 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Highway 257
3
Continue on US 62
0.3 mi·19 sec·East 2nd Street
4
Continue on US 62
0.7 mi·47 sec·East Front Street
5
Continue on US 62
407 ft·9 sec·West Front Street
6
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·50 sec·Petroleum Street
7
Turn left onto US 62; PA 8
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
8
Continue on US 62; PA 8
6.7 mi·11 min·Allegheny Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.7 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 62; PA 8
1.9 mi·3 min·15th Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 8
1.8 mi·2 min·Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 8
11 mi·13 min·Richard Frame Memorial Highway
13
Continue on PA 8
1.0 mi·1 min·Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 80
9.6 mi·10 min·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh
17
Merge onto I 79
45 mi·49 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi·15 min·Parkway North
Exit 72Toward I 279: PittsburghUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft·14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
22
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft·3 sec·Bigelow Boulevard
23
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft·6 sec·Bigelow Square
Toward 6th AvenueUse the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft·11 sec·Sixth Avenue
25
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft·22 sec·Grant Street
26
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft·13 sec·Grant Street
27
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given this 2-hour drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, and flexibility is your advantage. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour traffic in either direction. The longest stretch without a major exit is about 45 miles on I 79, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you begin this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical trip, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before heading out.
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 47.7 miles from Woodland Heights, PA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 21 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 1h 3m 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 37m
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 Woodland Heights, 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 Woodland Heights, PA
This is one driving day of about 95.3 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Woodland Heights, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 45.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 94.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.1 mi into trip|~16m in|US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
10.8 mi into trip|~18m in|US 62; PA 8 / 15th Street
Turn left onto US 62; PA 8 / 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
93.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.55 one way
$31.10 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$17.10
$34.20
premium
$4.86
$18.25
$36.49
diesel
$5.40
$20.27
$40.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.57
Efficient EV
23.8
0
$8.34
$3.81
EV Truck/SUV
38.1
0
$13.34
$6.10
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 26, 2026
Origin
Woodland Heights, PA
Afternoon
in Woodland Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Afternoon
in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
42°F
Grove City, PA
48 mi in
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
2 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 1m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 61% of the 95.3 miles spent on roads like I 79 and the Richard Frame Memorial Highway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 45.1 miles on I 79 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a typical highway experience with multiple exits and merges as you approach Pittsburgh.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.1 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Richard Frame Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in near US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 95.3 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 10.1 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 62; PA 8 / 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.3 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): 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.
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 2h 1m. Total distance: 95.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 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 10.1 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (US 62; PA 8 / 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.3 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): 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.
