Origin
Pittsburgh, PA
Night in Pittsburgh on Thursday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Franklin, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
84.5 mi
136 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 84.5-mile journey from Pittsburgh, PA, to Franklin, PA, a trip that typically takes just over an hour and a half. This drive is primarily focused on highway travel, with 66% of the route utilizing major roads like I-79 and the Parkway North. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $14, this 1-day trip is an easy addition to your itinerary. The route stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent driving experience without significant shifts in scenery or road type. Its manageable length makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.2 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 84.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey on major arteries including I-79 and the Richard Frame Memorial Highway. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 44.5 miles on I-79, offering a chance to cover ground efficiently. While predominantly highway, the initial Parkway North segment might offer a slightly different feel before merging onto the main interstate. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it a predictable and efficient trip.
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 44.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Parkway North. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.2 miles in near I 79.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 84.5 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 13.2 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.8 miles (PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward PA 8: Franklin - Oil City Area, Barkeyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 8: Franklin - Oil City Area, Barkeyvi...
6
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road
Turn left onto PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
84.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 62; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Turn right onto US 62; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
13th Street
Turn right onto 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Franklin, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Barkeyville along the way.
Barkeyville
67.5 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 44.5 mi | 48m |
| Parkway North | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Richard Frame Memorial Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Keystone Shortway | 9 mi | 9m |
| Pittsburgh Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| 15th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Veterans Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Liberty Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 44.5 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and Franklin, PA.
1
Start on Grant Street
45 ft
·
5 sec
·
Grant Street
2
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
309 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sixth Avenue
3
Turn left onto Bigelow Square
365 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bigelow Square
4
Continue on Bigelow Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bigelow Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 579: Veterans Bridge
6
Merge onto I 579
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Bridge
7
Continue on I 279
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Parkway North
8
Merge onto I 79
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
10
Merge onto I 80
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward PA 8: Franklin - Oil City Area, Barkeyville
12
Turn left onto PA 8
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 8
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Richard Frame Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 8
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on PA 8
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 62; PA 8
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Liberty Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto 13th Street
27 ft
·
1 sec
·
13th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
13th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 42 minutes, you have considerable flexibility with this 84.5-mile trip. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Pittsburgh. With no designated stops, you can easily pause for a quick break or meal whenever needed. The longest stretch without a major change is 44.5 miles on I-79, so plan your fuel needs accordingly before heading out, as the $14 fuel cost suggests a straightforward fill-up. Keep an eye out for potential construction on I-79, which can occasionally impact travel times.
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 42.2 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.5 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 50m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pittsburgh, PA
This is one driving day of about 84.5 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Pittsburgh, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 44.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.2 mi from Pittsburgh, PA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.2 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, PA
The final approach into Franklin, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.01 one way
$28.02 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.34 | $30.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.66 | $37.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.83 | $5.41 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Franklin, PA
Night in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
4 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
1h 42m 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Franklin, PA covers 84.5 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Parkway North, Richard Frame Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.2 miles from Pittsburgh, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.01 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.5 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 13.2 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.8 miles (PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Franklin, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Barkeyville along the way.
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