Spanning 132.7 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Pine Grove Mills to Pittsburgh is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating out of the starting area involves local roads like Science Park Road, Valley Vista Drive, and North Atherton Street. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, you will remain within the same geographic corridor for the duration of your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.5 miles from Pine Grove Mills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 139 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will be navigating local roadways for the entire 132.7-mile journey, which demands more active engagement behind the wheel compared to a standard freeway trek. This profile makes for a more technical driving experience where your focus remains on the immediate road ahead rather than long, straight stretches. The character of the drive is defined by these local connections, ensuring you stay off major high-speed corridors throughout the duration of your trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
William Penn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 61.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near Science Park Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (Science Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 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 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|Science Park Road
Turn left onto Science Park Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~23m 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
124.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
138.2 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
138.9 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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 Pine Grove Mills, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
14.9 mi in|~23m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
48.7 mi in|~1h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.2 mi
1h 25m
I 99
40.9 mi
44m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.5 mi
18m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
PA 26
3.4 mi
6m
Valley Vista Drive
2.1 mi
4m
Science Park Road
1.5 mi
3m
North Atherton Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Grove Mills, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on PA 26
9 ft·0 sec·South Water Street
2
Turn slight right onto PA 26
3.4 mi·6 min·PA 26
3
Turn left onto Science Park Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Science Park Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on Valley Vista Drive
2.1 mi·4 min·Valley Vista Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 322 Business
0.5 mi·54 sec·North Atherton Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto US 322 Business
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 322 Business
Toward I 99 South, US 322 West, US 220 South
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220; US 322
7.1 mi·7 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
8
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
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
10
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
11
Continue on US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
12
Continue on US 22
13 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 22
45 mi·1 hr 6 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
17
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
18
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
19
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without a rigid schedule. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the 2-hour and 35-minute duration and keep your energy levels steady. Given the nature of the local road network, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you transition between the various segments of the route. To make the most of your travel budget, keep that $22 fuel estimate in mind when planning your refueling stops. Because you are navigating local roads rather than highways, verify your turn-by-turn directions before you leave Pine Grove Mills to ensure a smooth transition onto Science Park Road and beyond.
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 69.5 miles from Pine Grove Mills, PA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.2 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
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 Pine Grove Mills, 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 Pine Grove Mills, PA
This is one driving day of about 139 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pine Grove Mills, 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 William Penn Highway for about 61.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.5 mi from Pine Grove Mills, PA
· 1h 26m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 71.9
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 76.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.04 one way
$46.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.24
$50.48
premium
$4.93
$26.96
$53.91
diesel
$5.61
$30.69
$61.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
Efficient EV
34.8
0
$12.16
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.46
$8.90
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pine Grove Mills, PA
Late night
in Pine Grove Mills on Saturday
Local time
2:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Late night
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
2:52 AM
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
5 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
3h 8m 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 Pine Grove Mills, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 139 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, I 99, Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.5 miles from Pine Grove Mills, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (Science Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.7 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 Pine Grove Mills, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
