This 306.3-mile journey from Forest City, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is estimated to take about 6 hours and 17 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, with a relatively low 15% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $51, and it's designed as a turn-heavy local drive. With only one recommended stop, you can push through in a single day, but consider your pace. This trip stays within the Northeast region of the US.
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
153.1 miles from Forest City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 306.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a local feel for much of this 306.3-mile drive, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy' profile. Only 15% of this route utilizes highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on local roads, navigating turns and varied speed limits. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a journey that requires constant attention and offers a more engaged driving experience compared to a pure interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 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 98.5 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 22.2 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 18 significant decision points across 306.3 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 22.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292 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.
7
22.2 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6
157.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
292 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
305.4 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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
306.2 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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 Forest City, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
182.1 mi in|~3h 33m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
215.9 mi in|~4h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
American Legion Memorial Highway
35 mi
42m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
15.4 mi
18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 247
126 ft·7 sec·Dundaff Street
2
Turn right onto PA 171; PA 247
5.1 mi·8 min·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto Reservoir Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Reservoir Street
4
Continue on Morse Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Morse Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto Canaan Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Canaan Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 6 BUS
0.9 mi·2 min·Roosevelt Highway
7
Turn right onto US 6
15 mi·18 min·Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-BarreUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 81
35 mi·42 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
11
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
13
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
14
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
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
17
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
18
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
23
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
24
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
25
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 17 minute drive time, starting early from Forest City, PA is advisable if you plan to reach Pittsburgh, PA in one day. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on local roads, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 98.5-mile mark on the Keystone Shortway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially between towns, as the $51 estimated fuel cost is based on the entire 306.3 miles. The turn-heavy nature means you'll want to be well-rested for the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.1 miles from Forest City, PA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 67 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.1 miles or 2h 59m 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 56m
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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, PA
This is one driving day of about 306.3 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Forest City, 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 98.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.1 mi from Forest City, PA
· 2h 59m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.78 one way
$101.56 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$55.62
$111.23
premium
$4.93
$59.40
$118.81
diesel
$5.61
$67.63
$135.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
EV Truck/SUV
122.5
1
$42.88
$19.60
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Forest City, PA
Late night
in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
153 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
9 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
6h 17m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Forest City, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 306.3 miles and takes about 6h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.1 miles from Forest City, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 306.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292 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 Forest City, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
