Knox, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is 94.3 miles and takes about 1h 52m via I 79, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Pennsylvania, transitioning from the Northeast region to the Pittsburgh area. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward and efficient option for getting from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience. Consider this trip if you're looking for a quick and direct connection between these two Pennsylvania locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Knox, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 94.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 70% of the journey on major roads like I 79 and Parkway North. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving, including a notable 45.1-mile segment on I 79 without needing to exit. The profile suggests a consistent experience on well-maintained highways for the majority of the trip. Expect minimal slowdowns and a steady pace as you cover the 94.3 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 45.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.2 miles in near I 79.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 36.2 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
36.2 mi into trip|~43m in|I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 279 / Parkway North
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279 / Parkway North toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
7
92.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 579
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579 toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
7
93.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
6
93.9 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
45.1 mi
49m
Keystone Shortway
26.7 mi
28m
Parkway North
11.4 mi
15m
Route 208
6.9 mi
10m
PA 38
1.5 mi
2m
I 579
0.9 mi
1m
West Railroad Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 45.1 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knox, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto PA 208
0.3 mi·52 sec·West Railroad Street
3
Continue on PA 208
6.9 mi·10 min·Route 208
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 38; PA 208
1.5 mi·2 min·PA 38; PA 208
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
27 mi·28 min·Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 79 South: Pittsburgh
8
Merge onto I 79
45 mi·49 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi·15 min·Parkway North
Exit 72Toward I 279: PittsburghUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579
0.9 mi·1 min·I 579
Toward I 579 South: Veterans BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft·14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
13
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft·3 sec·Bigelow Boulevard
14
Continue on Bigelow Square
386 ft·6 sec·Bigelow Square
Toward 6th AvenueUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
347 ft·11 sec·Sixth Avenue
16
Turn left onto Grant Street
296 ft·22 sec·Grant Street
17
Continue on Grant Street
254 ft·13 sec·Grant Street
18
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 52m duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart anytime during the day and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though you won't likely need frequent stops. The longest stretch without exiting is over 45 miles on I 79, so ensure you have enough fuel before that segment. Plan for a quick stop if needed, but the drive is manageable in one go.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.1 miles from Knox, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Knox, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Knox, PA
This is one driving day of about 94.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Knox, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 45.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.63 one way
$31.27 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.12
$34.25
premium
$4.93
$18.29
$36.58
diesel
$5.61
$20.82
$41.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.53
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.25
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.04
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Knox, PA
Late night
in Knox on Saturday
Local time
12:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
12:12 AM
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
5 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
1h 52m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Knox, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 94.3 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Keystone Shortway, Parkway North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 miles from Knox, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.2 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.3 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Knox, PA to Pittsburgh, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
