Origin
Kulpmont, PA
Afternoon in Kulpmont on Saturday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kulpmont, PA
Mikhail Nilov
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Kulpmont, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on South 9th Street
Turn right onto PA 61
Turn left onto PA 54
Turn right onto PA 54
Continue on PA 54
Continue on PA 54
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Turn right onto Grant Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
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
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
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
Take the exit toward Second Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$38.76 one way
$77.52 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Kulpmont on Saturday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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
Hollidaysburg
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).
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.
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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