Trip from Dallas, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

259.6 mi

418 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 29m ★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dallas, PA, PA

Dallas, PA

Talena Reese

Downtown Pittsburgh, PA, PA

Pittsburgh, PA

LaMont L. Johnson

Trip Overview

Connecting Dallas to Pittsburgh via a 259.6-mile journey, this route takes you across Pennsylvania in approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes. Because it fits comfortably into a single day of travel, you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $43 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. The drive transitions you from the Northeast region toward western Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward path for those looking to cross the state efficiently. With only one recommended stop, it is a manageable trip for solo drivers or families alike. Overall, the experience is practical and reliable, making it a solid choice for a direct commute or a planned day trip.

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

129.8 miles from Dallas, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that blends local roads with major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99, which together provide a varied rhythm to your journey. While highway travel accounts for 39% of your total time behind the wheel, the route remains engaging rather than purely monotonous. Keep in mind that your longest uninterrupted stretch is 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, requiring steady focus before you reach the next transition. The character of the road shifts as you move between these different types of infrastructure, ensuring you stay alert throughout the nearly six-hour trek.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
William Penn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 61.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 111.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 259.6 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 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.4 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
111.1 mi into trip | ~2h 28m 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
135.5 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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
245.4 mi into trip | ~5h 21m 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 none lane. Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
258.8 mi into trip | ~5h 39m 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
259.6 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in | Grant Street

Turn right onto Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Dallas, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

Altoona

135.5 mi in | ~2h 57m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

169.3 mi in | ~3h 34m

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
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
State Route 118 23.6 mi 41m
PA 118 18.6 mi 27m
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 Dallas, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.

1

Start on PA 415

151 ft · 30 sec · Memorial Highway
2

Continue on PA 415

177 ft · 3 sec · Memorial Highway
3

Enter roundabout onto PA 415

209 ft · 4 sec · Memorial Highway
4

Continue on PA 415

1.6 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
5

Turn left onto PA 118

19 mi · 27 min · PA 118
6

Keep slight right at fork onto PA 118

24 mi · 41 min · State Route 118
7

Turn left onto PA 405

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Main Street
8

Continue on PA 405

0.8 mi · 1 min · PA 405
9

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
10

Merge onto I 180

12 mi · 13 min · I 180
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
12

Merge onto I 80

51 mi · 54 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the none lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
14

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road
Use the none lane.
15

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
16

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
17

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road
Use the none lane.
18

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway
Use the none lane.
19

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

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: Pittsburgh Use the none lane.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue
24

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street
25

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
26

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
27

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 259.6-mile trip, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the busier highway segments. Since you only have one suggested stop, plan it strategically around the midpoint of your drive to maximize your efficiency. Given the fuel cost of $43, it is wise to check your vehicle's range before hitting the stretches of I-99 or the Keystone Shortway to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions. If you find yourself tiring during that 61.2-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, do not hesitate to pull over early to keep your focus sharp for the remainder of the drive.

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 129.8 miles from Dallas, PA, or about 2h 50m 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 80 miles or 1h 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 129.8 miles or 2h 50m 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 33m

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 Dallas, 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 Dallas, PA

This is one driving day of about 259.6 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dallas, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 129.8 mi from Dallas, PA · 2h 50m into the drive

Downtown Hornell, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hornell, NY

130 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Corning, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hornell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.8 miles from Dallas, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.2 miles.

Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.96 one way

$85.91 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $47.00 $94.01
premium $4.92 $50.31 $100.61
diesel $5.64 $57.67 $115.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77.9 0 $27.26 $12.46
Efficient EV 64.9 0 $22.72 $10.38
EV Truck/SUV 103.8 1 $36.34 $16.61

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Dallas, PA

Evening in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

8:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday

Local time

8:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live 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

6 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

5h 42m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dallas, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 259.6 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.8 miles from Dallas, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 259.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.4 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.
Between Dallas, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

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