Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
155.1 mi
250 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pittsburgh, PA
Wikimedia Commons
McKean, PA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Pittsburgh, PA to McKean, PA covers 155.1 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Allegheny Valley Expressway, PA 28, US 219 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 36.8 miles on Allegheny Valley Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
77.6 miles from Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 155.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 38m highway drive covering 155.1 miles, with most of the trip on Allegheny Valley Expressway and PA 28. The longest continuous stretch is about 36.8 miles on Allegheny Valley Expressway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Allegheny Valley Expressway and PA 28. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sixth Avenue.
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 155.1 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (Sixth Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward PA 28: Etna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto PA 948 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pittsburgh, PA to McKean, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Indiana
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Valley Expressway | 36.8 mi | 47m |
| PA 28 | 35.7 mi | 51m |
| US 219 | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| PA 949 | 16.9 mi | 25m |
| Richardsville Road | 14.3 mi | 21m |
| Ridgway-Johnsonburg Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| US 422 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Mt Alton Road | 4.5 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh, PA and McKean, PA.
Start on Grant Street
Turn right onto Sixth Avenue
Turn left onto Bigelow Square
Continue on Bigelow Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 579
Take the exit
Merge onto PA 28
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 422; PA 28
Continue on PA 28; PA 66
Turn right onto South Main Street
Turn left onto CR 4005
Continue on Richardsville Road
Continue on PA 949
Turn left onto PA 949
Turn right onto PA 948
Turn left onto US 219
Continue on US 219
Continue on US 219
Continue on US 219
Continue on US 219
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
Turn right onto PA 59
Continue on PA 59
Turn left onto Ormsby Crossroad
Continue on PA 646
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKean, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 155.1 miles and 3h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.6 mi from Pittsburgh, PA · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into McKean, 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 McKean, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.71 one way
$51.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.16 | $56.32 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.08 | $60.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.24 | $68.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.29 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.71 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Pittsburgh on Friday
Local time
2:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in McKean on Friday
Local time
2:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
27°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Pittsburgh, PA or browse trips ending in McKean, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
