Origin
Monessen, PA
Morning in Monessen on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monessen, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
52m
Distance
29 mi
47 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monessen, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 29-mile journey from Monessen, PA to Pittsburgh, PA takes approximately 52 minutes and is best suited as a day trip. With a modest fuel cost of around $5, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Northeast region. The majority of the drive utilizes major roadways, making it an efficient option for getting between these two Pennsylvania locations. You'll find this trip to be a convenient way to travel, especially if you're looking for a short, manageable drive within the state. Consider it a quick hop rather than a multi-day adventure.
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
14.5 miles from Monessen, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 29-mile trip. While 28% of the route is on highways, the personality of the drive shifts, incorporating local roads like Brownsville Road Extension and Brownsville Road. The longest stretch without a turn is 8 miles, found on the Mon/Fayette Expressway. This means you'll be navigating a mix of faster highway segments and more intricate local road conditions, requiring your attention. It's a drive that keeps you engaged with frequent changes in scenery and road type.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mon/Fayette Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 8 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 1 miles in near PA 906 / Donner Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 29 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 1 miles (PA 906 / Donner Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
PA 906 / Donner Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto PA 906 / Donner Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
13.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
6
20.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
Brownsville Road
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
20.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Brownsville Road
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
28.9 mi into trip
|
~52m 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 Monessen, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
Elizabeth
13.7 mi in
|
~20m
Finleyville
13.7 mi in
|
~20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mon/Fayette Expressway | 8 mi | 8m |
| Brownsville Road Extension | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Brownsville Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Saw Mill Run Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| McChain Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Provost Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Liberty Tunnels | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Mon/Fayette Expressway
— 8 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monessen, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Marion Avenue
19 ft
·
1 sec
·
Marion Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto Grand Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Grand Boulevard
3
Continue on 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 906
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Donner Avenue
5
Continue on Donner Avenue
358 ft
·
7 sec
·
Donner Avenue
6
Turn slight right onto PA 906
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Schoonmaker Avenue
7
Turn right onto John K. Tener Memorial Bridge
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
John K. Tener Memorial Bridge
8
Turn right onto PA 88
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
PA 88
9
Continue on PA 88
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
10
Continue on PA 88
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Country Club Road
11
Turn left onto Coyle Curtin Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Coyle Curtin Road
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Mon/Fayette Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
15
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Finleyville Elrama Road
16
Turn right onto McChain Road
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
McChain Road
17
Keep slight left at fork onto McChain Road
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
McChain Road
18
Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Brownsville Road Extension
19
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Brownsville Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Brownsville Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Provost Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Provost Road
22
Continue on Provost Road
202 ft
·
7 sec
·
Provost Road
23
Turn left onto PA 51
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
24
Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on this road
361 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
27
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Tunnels
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on Liberty Bridge
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Liberty Bridge
29
Turn straight onto Crosstown Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Crosstown Boulevard
30
Continue on Sixth Avenue
366 ft
·
16 sec
·
Sixth Avenue
31
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Fifth Avenue
32
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft
·
21 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 52-minute duration for this 29-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Starting your trip from Monessen, PA, you can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Pittsburgh, PA with plenty of time for activities. Since there are no designated stops, you can plan for brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $5. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of the transitions between the Mon/Fayette Expressway and local roads, as these can occur unexpectedly and require prompt adjustments.
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 14.5 miles from Monessen, PA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8 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 29 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.5 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
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 Monessen, 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 Monessen, PA
This is one driving day of about 29 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monessen, 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 Mon/Fayette Expressway for about 8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.5 mi from Monessen, PA · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.5 miles from Monessen, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$4.81 one way
$9.62 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.27 | $10.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.62 | $11.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.40 | $12.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.56
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8 mi)
$0.56
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| Efficient EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.54 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.06 | $1.86 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Morning in Pittsburgh on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Mina, NY
15 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
1 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
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 Monessen, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 29 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mon/Fayette Expressway, Brownsville Road Extension, Brownsville Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.5 miles from Monessen, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.81 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 17 significant decision points across 29 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 1 miles (PA 906 / Donner Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Monessen, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
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