The drive from State College, PA to Mount Lebanon, PA covers 143 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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, Admiral Peary Highway 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 $23.71 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
71.5 miles from State College, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Mt. Lebanon is an affluent suburb in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about seven miles south of Downtown Pittsburgh. Uptown Mt. Lebanon, a business district along Washington Road in the northern part of the township, is one of the more prominent business districts in the area outside of Pittsburgh itself.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 143 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from State College, PA to Mount Lebanon, PA covers 143 miles and takes about 3h 18m, 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 28 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,019 ft737 ft
Total Climb
1,558 ft
Total Descent
1,667 ft
Highest Point
2,019 ft
~71.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,282 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 26 / West College Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 143 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 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 18 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
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 73A
Toward PA 885 South: Glenwood
6
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|PA 885 / Bates Street
Turn right onto PA 885 / Bates 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.
Between State College, PA and Mount Lebanon, 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
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.8 mi
16m
North Atherton Street
3.9 mi
9m
Blue Belt
2.8 mi
5m
Becks Run Road
2.5 mi
3m
Connor Road
1.2 mi
2m
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 Mount Lebanon, 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
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
478 ft·24 sec
Exit 73AToward PA 885 South: GlenwoodUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto PA 885
0.1 mi·13 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·19 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
19
Turn right onto Blue Belt
2.5 mi·3 min·Becks Run Road
20
Continue on Blue Belt
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biscayne Drive
21
At end of road, turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·54 sec·Maytide Street
22
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·28 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
23
Take the exit onto Blue Belt
2.8 mi·5 min·Blue Belt
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn right onto Yellow Belt
1.2 mi·2 min·Connor Road
25
Turn right onto US 19; Yellow Belt
390 ft·15 sec·Washington Road
26
Turn right
156 ft·13 sec
27
Turn right
237 ft·17 sec
28
Arrive at destination
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 71.5 miles from State College, PA, or about 1h 29m 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.5 miles or 1h 29m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Lebanon, 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 143 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 71.5 mi from State College, PA
· 1h 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 71.5 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 Mount Lebanon, PA
The final approach into Mount Lebanon, 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 Mount Lebanon, 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
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...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 73.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.71 one way
$47.42 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.97
$51.93
premium
$4.93
$27.73
$55.47
diesel
$5.61
$31.57
$63.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.9
0
$15.01
$6.86
Efficient EV
35.8
0
$12.51
$5.72
EV Truck/SUV
57.2
0
$20.02
$9.15
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Late night
in State College on Saturday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mount Lebanon, PA
Late night
in Mount Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Minersville, PA
72 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 18m 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 Mount Lebanon, PA covers 143 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, I 99, Admiral Peary Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.5 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 $23.71 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 143 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 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 Mount Lebanon, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 737 ft to 2,019 ft elevation with about 1,558 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
