Trip from Towanda, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

266.7 mi

429 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 18m ★

6 AM

5h 31m

8 AM

5h 58m

10 AM

5h 41m

12 PM

5h 38m

3 PM

5h 42m

5 PM

5h 57m

8 PM

5h 23m

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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Towanda, PA

Haneul Trac

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 266.7-mile journey from Towanda, PA to Pittsburgh, PA takes approximately 5 hours and 31 minutes, making it a manageable one-day road trip. You'll navigate primarily via the William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, and US 220, with about 41% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $44. It's a mixed drive that can be completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. The route traverses within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward path across the state.

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

133.4 miles from Towanda, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
William Penn Highway	61.2 mi	1h 25m
Keystone Shortway	50.6 mi	54m
US 220	48.5 mi	55m
I 99	33.8 mi	36m
Jacksonville Road	24.2 mi	28m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East	13.5 mi	18m
Admiral Peary Highway	13.4 mi	19m
I 180	12 mi	13m

Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Park Street

237 ft · 13 sec · Park Street

Turn right onto John B Merrill Parkway

0.4 mi · 1 min · John B Merrill Parkway

Turn left onto South Main Street

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto US 220

48 mi · 55 min · US 220

Continue on PA 405

3.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

Continue on PA 405

0.8 mi · 1 min · PA 405

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Merge onto I 180

12 mi · 13 min · I 180

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec

Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte

Merge onto I 80

51 mi · 54 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road

Use the straight lane.

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

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec

Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 61.2-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, and plan your refueling accordingly. This trip is well-suited for a single day, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you, perhaps after a hearty breakfast in Towanda.

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 133.4 miles from Towanda, PA, or about 2h 35m 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 133.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 20m

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 Towanda, 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 Towanda, PA

This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Towanda, 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.

borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

State College, PA

133 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

Catawissa, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

State College, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.4 miles from Towanda, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266.7

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm

+14122611599

Visit website

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–2 pm

+14127653200

Visit website

Grand Concourse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+14122611717

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14122632142

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 247.7

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Cochran Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 266.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 247.7

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 266.7

Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18887174544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 247.7

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 118.1 and 266.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

118.1 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...

142.6 mi into trip | ~2h 46m 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,...

252.4 mi into trip | ~5h 10m 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

265.9 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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

266.6 mi into trip | ~5h 30m in | Grant Street

Turn right onto Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.22 one way

$88.43 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$48.43	$96.85
premium	$4.93	$51.72	$103.45
diesel	$5.61	$58.88	$117.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	80	0	$28.00	$12.80
Efficient EV	66.7	0	$23.34	$10.67
EV Truck/SUV	106.7	1	$37.34	$17.07

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Towanda, PA

Afternoon in Towanda on Saturday

Local time

2:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Afternoon in Pittsburgh on Saturday

Local time

2:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

8 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive offers a varied experience, blending highway stretches with more traditional road travel. With 41% of the route on highways, you'll encounter periods of faster driving, interspersed with sections on the William Penn Highway and US 220. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 61.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, providing a significant period of consistent travel. This mixed profile means you'll experience different driving dynamics throughout the 5.5-hour journey, keeping the experience engaging.

41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 61.2 mi on William Penn Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 118.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 266.7 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 118.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.4 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Towanda, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

Altoona

142.6 mi in | ~2h 46m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

176.4 mi in | ~3h 23m

About the Cities

Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA

Full guide →

The pleasure of Pittsburgh remains a well-kept secret. Though not built up by reputation, the city's unique combination of bridges, steep hills, and broad rivers make it one of the most naturally scenic cities in the country. Cheap food and beer abound in this true sports town and the locals are amazingly friendly. A city of about 303,000 (2021) in Allegheny County, at the center of a metro area of about 2.4 million in southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, which meet to form the Ohio River. The city's unique terrain has resulted in an unusual city design and a hodge-podge of unique neighborhood "pockets" with diverse ethnic and architectural heritage.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 266.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pittsburgh, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pittsburgh, PA before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Towanda, PA or browse trips ending in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Trip from Towanda, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

Grand Concourse

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Restaurant

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

Orbis Caffe

Autel Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cochran Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Towanda, PA

Pittsburgh, PA

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 31m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Pittsburgh, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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