Origin
Mercer, PA
Night in Mercer on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mercer, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
61.8 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mercer, PA
Quyển Phạm Xuân
Pittsburgh, PA
LaMont L. Johnson
Trip Overview
Driving from Mercer to Pittsburgh is a straightforward 61.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Since this route is entirely within Pennsylvania, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or adjusting your travel plans for major climate changes. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical trip for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. Because the duration is so manageable, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can easily head out in the morning and be back by evening, or spend the full day exploring your destination before heading home.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
30.9 miles from Mercer, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 96% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-79, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 40.6 miles that allows for steady cruising. While you start your journey utilizing State Route 258, the transition to the interstate is quick and keeps the drive moving at a consistent pace. As you approach the city, you will navigate the Parkway North, which marks the shift from open highway to urban transit. It is a no-nonsense, highway-focused drive designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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 40.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Butler Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 61.8 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 0.1 miles (West Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Butler Street
Turn left onto West Butler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
48.8 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
60.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
8
61.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 40.6 mi | 44m |
| Parkway North | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| State Route 258 | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| South Pitt Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| I 579 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Erie Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Butler Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 40.6 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mercer, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on US 19; US 62; PA 58; PA 258
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Erie Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto West Butler Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Butler Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto PA 258
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Pitt Street
4
Continue on PA 258
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 258
5
Turn left onto Leesburg Grove City Road
432 ft
·
15 sec
·
Leesburg Grove City Road
6
Take the ramp
144 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I-79 S
7
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I-79 S
8
Merge onto I 79
41 mi
·
44 min
·
I 79
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Parkway North
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Use 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 Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft
·
14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
Use the none lane.
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 Avenue
Use the straight / left / none 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 1-hour and 18-minute drive time, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure schedule. Since there are no required stops on this 61.8-mile route, you can drive straight through, but keep an eye on traffic patterns as you merge onto the Parkway North toward Pittsburgh. Fill your tank before leaving Mercer if you want to keep your costs near the $10 estimate, as fuel prices can fluctuate once you reach the metro area. Because the longest stretch is over 40 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for a continuous highway run before you pull out of town. This is a short enough distance that you can easily plan your day around your specific arrival goals rather than worrying about fatigue or frequent rest breaks.
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 30.9 miles from Mercer, PA, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.6 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 61.8 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.9 miles or 39m 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 4m
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 Mercer, 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 Mercer, PA
This is one driving day of about 61.8 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mercer, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 40.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.9 mi from Mercer, PA · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.23 one way
$20.45 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $11.19 | $22.38 |
| premium | $4.92 | $11.98 | $23.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.73 | $27.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.41 | $2.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Night in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Mina, NY
31 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
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
1h 18m 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 Mercer, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 61.8 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Parkway North, State Route 258. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.9 miles from Mercer, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.23 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 61.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mercer, PA to Pittsburgh, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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