Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Catasauqua, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

284.9 mi

458 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 23m ★

6 AM

5h 37m

8 AM

6h 3m

10 AM

5h 46m

12 PM

5h 43m

3 PM

5h 47m

5 PM

6h 2m

8 PM

5h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and county seat in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Catasauqua, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 284.9-mile journey from Pittsburgh to Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, is a substantial drive that can be completed in about 5 hours and 36 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, this route is largely highway-focused, with 69% of the drive on major roadways. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's a manageable one-day trip, though you might consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent travel experience 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

142.4 miles from Pittsburgh, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	170.5 mi	3h 7m
William Penn Highway	42.8 mi	50m
American Legion Memorial Highway	22.5 mi	27m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East	13.6 mi	18m
I 81	12.7 mi	15m
78th Division Highway	7.6 mi	8m
Lehigh Valley Thruway	6.5 mi	8m
Harrisburg Pike	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 170.5 mi, about 3h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Catasauqua, PA.

Start on Grant Street

45 ft · 9 sec · Grant Street

Continue on Grant Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Grant Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 376 East: Monroeville

Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30

14 mi · 18 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 85 Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · this road

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 76; PATP

170 mi · 3 hr 7 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 81

13 mi · 15 min · I 81

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

19 mi · 22 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 89 Toward I 78 East: Allentown

Continue on I 78

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway

Continue on I 78; US 22

43 mi · 50 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22

6.5 mi · 8 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 39 sec

Toward PA 145: MacArthur Road, 7th Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

166 ft · 7 sec

Toward PA 145 North: Whitehall Use the left lane.

Turn left onto PA 145

0.7 mi · 1 min · MacArthur Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Mickley Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Mickley Road

Continue on Main Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto Pine Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pine Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto 2nd Street

72 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Arrive at destination

2nd Street

Trip Plan

Given the 284.9-mile distance and 5-hour, 36-minute duration, departing early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 170.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $47 makes this a budget-friendly one-day excursion. A specific tip for this route: be aware of potential toll charges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as this will be your primary roadway for a considerable portion of the journey.

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 142.4 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.5 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 63 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.4 miles or 2h 43m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catasauqua, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA

This is one driving day of about 284.9 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Pittsburgh, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 170.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

142 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

Johnstown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.4 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–2 pm

+14127653200

Visit website

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+14122611717

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14122632142

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 40.7

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 40.7

Hunker, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 282.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

14.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

185.3 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg

186.2 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg

275.8 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in | US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...

282.5 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward PA 145 North: Whitehall

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward PA 145 North: Whitehall

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.23 one way

$94.47 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$51.73	$103.46
premium	$4.93	$55.25	$110.51
diesel	$5.61	$62.90	$125.80

Estimated Tolls: $22.61

Pennsylvania Turnpike (170.5 mi) $22.16

Lehigh Valley Thruway (6.5 mi) $0.45

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

$47

Tolls

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.5	1	$29.91	$13.68
Efficient EV	71.2	0	$24.93	$11.40
EV Truck/SUV	114	1	$39.89	$18.23

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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

Pittsburgh, PA

Afternoon in Pittsburgh on Saturday

Local time

2:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Catasauqua, PA

Afternoon in Catasauqua on Saturday

Local time

2:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

142 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

11 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

5h 36m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Longest single stretch: 170.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 24 significant decision points across 284.9 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 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Pittsburgh, PA and Catasauqua, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Ohio, Harrisburg and Marysville.

Patp: Ohio

14.3 mi in | ~20m

Harrisburg

14.3 mi in | ~20m

Marysville

200.5 mi in | ~3h 51m

About the Cities

Starting in Pittsburgh, PA

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 170.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $22.61 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Catasauqua, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Catasauqua, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

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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Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Catasauqua, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

Grand Concourse

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Restaurant

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

Orbis Caffe

Autel Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Cochran Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pittsburgh, PA

Catasauqua, PA

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 36m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Flight 93 National Memorial

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Pittsburgh, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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