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Trip from State College, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

135.9 mi

219 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

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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borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

State College, PA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from State College, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 135.9 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on William Penn Highway, I 99, Penn-Lincoln Parkway East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.53 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

67.9 miles from State College, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 135.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from State College, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 135.9 miles and takes about 3h 3m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 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 0.1 miles in near PA 26 / West College Avenue.

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 135.9 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 0.1 miles (PA 26 / West College Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 11.7 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.6 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
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 26 / West College Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto PA 26 / West College Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
11.7 mi into trip | ~18m 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
121.6 mi into trip | ~2h 42m 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
135.1 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
135.8 mi into trip | ~3h 3m 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 State College, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

Altoona

11.7 mi in | ~18m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

45.6 mi in | ~55m

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
North Atherton Street 3.9 mi 9m
US 322 Business 0.4 mi <1m
Second Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
West College Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Allen Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South Allen Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto PA 26

0.2 mi · 46 sec · West College Avenue
3

Turn straight

221 ft · 7 sec
4

Turn slight right onto US 322 Business

3.9 mi · 9 min · North Atherton Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn straight onto US 322 Business

0.4 mi · 35 sec · US 322 Business
Toward I 99 South, US 322 West, US 220 South
6

Merge onto I 99; US 220; US 322

7.1 mi · 7 min · I 99; US 220; US 322
7

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
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
9

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road
10

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway
11

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

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: Pittsburgh Use the slight left lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue
16

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street
17

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
18

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
19

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

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 67.9 miles from State College, PA, or about 1h 23m 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 30 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.9 miles or 1h 23m 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 27m

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 State College, 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 State College, PA

This is one driving day of about 135.9 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from State College, 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 67.9 mi from State College, PA · 1h 23m into the drive

borough in central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Minersville, PA

68 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

Tyrone, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Portage, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.9 miles from State College, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.2 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.

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.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 70.3
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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 ~65 min detour Free near mile 75
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.53 one way

$45.06 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.68 $49.35
premium $4.93 $26.36 $52.71
diesel $5.61 $30.01 $60.01

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: 47.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.8 0 $14.27 $6.52
Efficient EV 34 0 $11.89 $5.44
EV Truck/SUV 54.4 0 $19.03 $8.70

Gas CO2

48 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

State College, PA

Afternoon in State College on Thursday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Afternoon in Pittsburgh on Thursday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Minersville, PA

68 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

15 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

3h 3m 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 State College, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 135.9 miles and takes about 3h 3m 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 67.9 miles from State College, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.53 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 135.9 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 0.1 miles (PA 26 / West College Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 11.7 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.6 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 State College, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.

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