This 307.9-mile journey from Lenox, PA to Pittsburgh, PA will take approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway. With a projected fuel cost of around $51, this drive offers a budget-friendly way to traverse Pennsylvania. The route has a turn-heavy local drive profile, so expect a varied experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Given its duration and character, consider if you prefer to tackle it all in one go or split it if needed.
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
154 miles from Lenox, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 307.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive features a relatively low highway share at 23%, indicating a significant portion will be on local roads. This translates to a turn-heavy local drive experience, so be prepared for frequent directional changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before the local roads take over again. Expect the road to change character throughout, moving from potentially faster highway segments to more winding, community-focused routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 23.4 miles in near I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway.
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 15 significant decision points across 307.9 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 23.4 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.6 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 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
23.4 mi into trip|~29m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6
159.4 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
293.6 mi into trip|~5h 55m 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
307.1 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
307.8 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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 Lenox, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
183.8 mi in|~3h 31m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
217.6 mi in|~4h 8m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
American Legion Memorial Highway
36.7 mi
44m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
I 81
23 mi
28m
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 Lenox, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 92
250 ft·10 sec·State Route 92
2
Turn left onto PA 106
0.2 mi·17 sec·State Route 106
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
23 mi·28 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·44 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-BarreUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
7
Merge onto I 80
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 161Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
9
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi·28 min·Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
10
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
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
13
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
14
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
19
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
20
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
21
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 16-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Lenox, PA, to allow ample time for navigation and any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop, it's wise to plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, perhaps during the 98.5-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye out for the numerous turns characteristic of this route; using a reliable GPS is highly recommended. The fuel cost is estimated at $51, so ensure your tank is full before you leave.
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 154 miles from Lenox, PA, or about 2h 56m 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 68 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 56m 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 54m
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 Lenox, 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 Lenox, PA
This is one driving day of about 307.9 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Lenox, 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 154 mi from Lenox, PA
· 2h 56m into the drive
The midpoint is around 154 miles from Lenox, 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 98.5 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 244.4
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 244.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.05 one way
$102.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$55.91
$111.81
premium
$4.93
$59.71
$119.43
diesel
$5.61
$67.98
$135.96
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: 107.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.94
$12.32
EV Truck/SUV
123.2
1
$43.11
$19.71
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lenox, PA
Night
in Lenox on Thursday
Local time
11:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Night
in Pittsburgh on Thursday
Local time
11:07 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 16m 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 Lenox, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 307.9 miles and takes about 6h 16m 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 154 miles from Lenox, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.05 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 15 significant decision points across 307.9 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 23.4 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.6 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 Lenox, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
