This 284.9-mile journey from Emerald Lakes, PA, to Pittsburgh, PA, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway before merging onto I-99, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, especially given its recommended one-day duration. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's an accessible drive for many. You'll experience a drive with a notable number of turns, suggesting a route that navigates varied terrain rather than a straight, monotonous interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.
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
142.5 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 284.9-mile trip. While 17% of the route involves highway travel, the majority of your time will likely be spent on more winding roads, indicated by the 'turn-heavy' description. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 132.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition to other segments. This suggests a route that balances faster sections with more intricate local road navigation, requiring your attention throughout the 5-hour and 48-minute journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 3.9 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 284.9 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 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.7 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 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
6
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
270.7 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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
284.1 mi into trip|~5h 45m 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
284.9 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Emerald Lakes, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
160.8 mi in|~3h 3m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
194.6 mi in|~3h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
132.1 mi
2h 25m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
I 380
1.7 mi
2m
Long Pond Road
1.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Lakes, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Clearview Drive
12 ft·2 sec·Clearview Drive
2
Turn right onto Emerald Boulevard
434 ft·20 sec·Emerald Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn right onto Long Pond Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Pond Road
4
Continue on Long Pond Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Long Pond Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto PA 940
424 ft·8 sec·PA 940
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
7
Merge onto I 380
1.7 mi·2 min·I 380
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: Hazleton
9
Merge onto I 80
132 mi·2 hr 25 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
11
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
12
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
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
15
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
21
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
22
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
23
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
For this 284.9-mile drive, which takes just under 6 hours, a single day is definitely manageable. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any brief stops you might need, keeping in mind the $47 estimated fuel cost. While there's a longest stretch of 132.1 miles, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you should stay alert for changing road conditions and speed limits. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey, but it’s wise to plan your fuel and restroom breaks strategically before embarking on longer segments.
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 142.5 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 63 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 32m
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 Emerald Lakes, 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 Emerald Lakes, PA
This is one driving day of about 284.9 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Emerald Lakes, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 132.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.5 mi from Emerald Lakes, PA
· 2h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 142.5 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.1 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 216.2
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 226
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.23 one way
$94.47 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$51.73
$103.46
premium
$4.93
$55.25
$110.51
diesel
$5.61
$62.90
$125.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.5
1
$29.91
$13.68
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.93
$11.40
EV Truck/SUV
114
1
$39.89
$18.23
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Emerald Lakes, PA
Evening
in Emerald Lakes on Thursday
Local time
7:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Evening
in Pittsburgh on Thursday
Local time
7:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 48m 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 Emerald Lakes, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 284.9 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.5 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.23 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 16 significant decision points across 284.9 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 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.7 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 Emerald Lakes, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Flight 93 National Memorial.
