This 290.9-mile drive from Red Lion, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes to complete. You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 96% of the route being on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $48, and you can expect a relatively straightforward, highway-focused experience. This trip is best tackled in one go, making it an efficient option for traversing Pennsylvania from east to west within the Northeast region.
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
145.4 miles from Red Lion, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 290.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 290.9-mile trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 256.4 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, indicating long periods of consistent travel. While primarily highway, the route incorporates PA 100 for a portion, suggesting a brief transition off the main turnpike before rejoining high-speed corridors. This profile means you'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of the journey, making it a direct and efficient transit.
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.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 256.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in near US 202; US 322.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 290.9 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 7.9 miles (US 202; US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.9 mi into trip|~14m in|US 202; US 322
Take the exit onto US 202; US 322 toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, Downingtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, Downin...
8
276 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroevil...
7
276.8 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
290.1 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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
290.8 mi into trip|~5h 35m 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 Red Lion, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Monroeville.
Patp
18.9 mi in|~31m
Monroeville
276 mi in|~5h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
256.4 mi
4h 39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.2 mi
18m
PA 100
7.5 mi
11m
Street Road
6.4 mi
11m
US 202
3.5 mi
5m
Wilmington Pike
1.5 mi
2m
Second Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Ross Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 256.4 mi, about 4h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Lion, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
1
Start on Conservatory Road
22 ft·4 sec·Conservatory Road
2
Turn right onto PA 926
6.4 mi·11 min·Street Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 202; US 322
1.5 mi·2 min·Wilmington Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto US 202; US 322
3.5 mi·5 min·US 202; US 322
Toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, DowningtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto PA 100
7.5 mi·11 min·PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: ExtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward PATP
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
8
Merge onto I 76; PATP
256 mi·4 hr 39 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
11
Keep slight right at fork
353 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
12
Merge onto I 376; US 22
13 mi·18 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 71BToward Second AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Second Avenue
15
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Ross Street
16
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
352 ft·10 sec·Fifth Avenue
17
Turn right onto Grant Street
513 ft·21 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Grant Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 35-minute drive, leaving Red Lion early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Pittsburgh. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 250 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan your refueling and rest breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point or when you feel the need, as the Pennsylvania Turnpike is well-equipped with service areas. The estimated fuel cost of $48 is a good baseline, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during that long 256.4-mile stretch.
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 145.4 miles from Red Lion, PA, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.4 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.4 miles or 2h 49m 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 Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Lion, 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 Red Lion, PA
This is one driving day of about 290.9 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Red Lion, 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 256.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.4 mi from Red Lion, PA
· 2h 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.4 miles from Red Lion, 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 256.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 110.3
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 210.6
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.23 one way
$96.46 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$52.82
$105.64
premium
$4.93
$56.42
$112.83
diesel
$5.61
$64.23
$128.45
Estimated Tolls: $33.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(256.4 mi)$33.34
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
$48
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.3
1
$30.54
$13.96
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
EV Truck/SUV
116.4
1
$40.73
$18.62
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 18, 2026
Origin
Red Lion, PA
Morning
in Red Lion on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in Pittsburgh on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
145 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
25 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
5h 35m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Red Lion, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 290.9 miles and takes about 5h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, PA 100. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.4 miles from Red Lion, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.23 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 290.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles (US 202; US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Red Lion, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Monroeville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and First State National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
