Origin
Arnold, PA
Late night in Arnold on Wednesday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
36m
Distance
21.7 mi
35 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arnold, PA
Simeon Mirkov
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
This 21.7-mile drive from Arnold, PA to Pittsburgh, PA takes about 36 minutes and is best tackled as a single-day trip. With a highway share of 77%, it's a highway-focused route that will get you to your destination efficiently. You can expect a fuel cost of around $4 for this short journey. Since both locations are in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you won't be crossing state or regional lines, keeping the travel straightforward. This is a quick and easy transit, perfect for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.8 miles from Arnold, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
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The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.6 miles on the Allegheny Valley Expressway, offering a consistent pace. While much of the journey is on these main arteries like Freeport Road and Constitution Boulevard, expect a transition from highway speeds to potentially more local road conditions as you approach Pittsburgh. This route offers a blend of efficient travel with a clear shift in driving environment towards the end.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Allegheny Valley Expressway and Freeport Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 21.7 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 3.7 miles (PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 579 South, I 279 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroeville, Fort Pitt Bridge, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge, Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arnold, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Monroeville and Airport.
Monroeville
Airport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Valley Expressway | 16.6 mi | 24m |
| Freeport Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Constitution Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| New Kensington Bridge | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Veterans Bridge | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Baileys Run Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arnold, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on Constitution Boulevard
Turn right onto 9th Street
Continue on New Kensington Bridge
Turn right onto Freeport Road
Turn left onto Baileys Run Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto PA 28
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 579
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
Continue on Bigelow Square
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
Turn left onto Grant Street
Continue on Grant Street
Arrive at destination
Given the short 36-minute duration and 21.7-mile distance, this trip offers excellent flexibility. You can easily depart Arnold, PA at your leisure, perhaps avoiding the morning rush hour into Pittsburgh. With a fuel cost estimated at only $4, you won't need to worry much about refueling stops. The longest stretch is a manageable 16.6 miles on the Allegheny Valley Expressway, so you can comfortably go without a break if needed. A good tip is to keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from the Allegheny Valley Expressway to Freeport Road and Constitution Boulevard as you near Pittsburgh, as this is where the driving environment will change most significantly.
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.
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 21.7 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.8 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Arnold, 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 Arnold, PA
This is one driving day of about 21.7 miles and 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.8 mi from Arnold, PA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 21.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Arnold, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Pittsburgh, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Pittsburgh, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.60 one way
$7.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.94 | $7.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.79 | $9.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Arnold on Wednesday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Pittsburgh on Wednesday
Local time
1:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
53°F
Lakewood, NY
11 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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