Origin
Elizabeth, PA
Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
31m
Distance
16 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
LaMont L. Johnson
If you are traveling from Elizabeth to Pittsburgh, you are looking at a quick 16-mile journey that typically takes about 31 minutes. Because this is a short, local connection within Pennsylvania, it serves perfectly as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $3 for fuel should be plenty to cover the distance, leaving you with minimal overhead for this transit. Navigating the connection requires you to transition from local roads onto Hayden Boulevard and Saw Mill Run Boulevard before heading through the Liberty Tunnels. This straightforward route is ideal for those needing to get between the two points efficiently without the complexity of a long-haul itinerary.
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
8 miles from Elizabeth, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local thoroughfares, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 9.7 miles along Hayden Boulevard. The personality of this drive is defined by its urban transition, shifting from the suburban feel of Elizabeth into the denser traffic patterns approaching Pittsburgh. Since you will be maneuvering through the Liberty Tunnels, stay alert and prepare for the unique rhythm of city-bound traffic. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel due to the constant turns rather than monotonous highway miles.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near PA 51 / Hayden Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.5 miles (PA 51 / Hayden Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (Liberty Tunnels): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto PA 51 / Hayden Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hayden Boulevard | 9.7 mi | 18m |
| Saw Mill Run Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 7m |
| Liberty Tunnels | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Bridge | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South 3rd Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Crosstown Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Fifth Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on Center Avenue
Turn right onto South 3rd Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto PA 51
Continue on PA 51
Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
Continue on Liberty Bridge
Turn straight onto Crosstown Boulevard
Continue on Sixth Avenue
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Turn right onto Grant Street
Arrive at destination
Since this 16-mile trip is short and straightforward, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is wise to account for potential traffic congestion near the Liberty Tunnels. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Elizabeth to ensure you are ready for the city driving ahead, even though the total cost is only about $3. Prioritize checking local traffic reports before you head out, as the reliance on surface streets like Saw Mill Run Boulevard means your travel time can fluctuate based on daily volume. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival to coincide with your specific needs in Pittsburgh.
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 16 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8 miles or 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, PA
This is one driving day of about 16 miles and 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8 mi from Elizabeth, PA · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8 miles from Elizabeth, 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
$2.65 one way
$5.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.90 | $5.79 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.10 | $6.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.24 | $1.02 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
53°F
Lakewood, NY
8 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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