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Trip from Kulpmont, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

233.8 mi

376 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 42m

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

Downtown Kulpmont, PA, PA

Kulpmont, PA

Mikhail Nilov

city and county seat in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Kulpmont to Pittsburgh is 233.8 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Keystone Shortway and I 99, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the west. Expect a driving experience that involves frequent turns and a significant amount of local road travel mixed with highway sections. With a recommended 1-day drive, this route is manageable for a single day's journey, offering a straightforward path across the state.

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

116.9 miles from Kulpmont, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 63.1 mi 1h 8m
William Penn Highway 61.2 mi 1h 25m
I 99 33.8 mi 36m
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
PA 54 16.3 mi 18m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 13.5 mi 18m
Admiral Peary Highway 13.4 mi 19m
Continental Boulevard 3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 63.1 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kulpmont, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.

1

Start on South 9th Street

114 ft · 7 sec · South 9th Street
2

Turn right onto PA 61

1.9 mi · 3 min · Chestnut Street
3

Turn left onto PA 54

16 mi · 18 min · PA 54
4

Turn right onto PA 54

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
5

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on PA 54

3.0 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
8

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Keystone Shortway
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
10

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
11

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
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
13

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road
14

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway
15

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

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 slight left lane.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue
20

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street
21

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
22

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
23

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour 49 minute estimated drive time, leaving Kulpmont in the morning will give you ample time to reach Pittsburgh before evening. While this is a single-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major road change is 63.1 miles, so plan for that to be your primary period of consistent driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between the Keystone Shortway and I 99, as services can vary on local road 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 116.9 miles from Kulpmont, PA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 51 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.9 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 47m

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 Kulpmont, 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 Kulpmont, PA

This is one driving day of about 233.8 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Kulpmont, 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 63.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altoona, PA

117 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

Bellefonte, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tyrone, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.9 miles from Kulpmont, 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 63.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 85.2 and 233.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
85.2 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
109.6 mi into trip | ~2h 4m 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
219.5 mi into trip | ~4h 28m 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
232.9 mi into trip | ~4h 47m 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
233.7 mi into trip | ~4h 49m in | Grant Street

Turn right onto Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.76 one way

$77.52 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $42.45 $84.90
premium $4.93 $45.34 $90.68
diesel $5.61 $51.62 $103.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.1 0 $24.55 $11.22
Efficient EV 58.5 0 $20.46 $9.35
EV Truck/SUV 93.5 1 $32.73 $14.96

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kulpmont, PA

Afternoon in Kulpmont on Saturday

Local time

4:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Afternoon in Pittsburgh on Saturday

Local time

4:18 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

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

4h 49m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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 ~21 min detour Free near mile 169.3
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...

27 mi from route ~66 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 169.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction than on a pure interstate cruise. With a highway share of 27%, much of your journey will be on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 63.1 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation and road changes.

Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 85.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 233.8 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 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Altoona

109.6 mi in | ~2h 4m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

143.4 mi in | ~2h 41m

About the Cities

Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA

Full guide →

The pleasure of Pittsburgh remains a well-kept secret. Though not built up by reputation, the city's unique combination of bridges, steep hills, and broad rivers make it one of the most naturally scenic cities in the country. Cheap food and beer abound in this true sports town and the locals are amazingly friendly. A city of about 303,000 (2021) in Allegheny County, at the center of a metro area of about 2.4 million in southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, which meet to form the Ohio River. The city's unique terrain has resulted in an unusual city design and a hodge-podge of unique neighborhood "pockets" with diverse ethnic and architectural heritage.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 233.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 63.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pittsburgh, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 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.

Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittsburgh, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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