Trip from Tunkhannock, PA to Pittsburgh, PA

Drive Time

6h 1m

Distance

279.7 mi

450 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 49m ★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Tunkhannock, PA, PA

Tunkhannock, PA

Jack Pace

Downtown Pittsburgh, PA, PA

Pittsburgh, PA

LaMont L. Johnson

Trip Overview

Spanning 279.7 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Tunkhannock to Pittsburgh typically takes about 6 hours and 1 minute. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can easily tackle this route in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path requires a mix of roads, including the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward connection between the Northeast and the western part of 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

139.8 miles from Tunkhannock, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different types of thoroughfares. With 38% of your journey spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of high-speed travel and slower-paced sections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the William Penn Highway, which covers 61.2 miles of the trip. The road personality shifts throughout the drive, moving from local stretches into more sustained highway segments. Staying alert is key, as the changing road conditions require you to remain attentive behind the wheel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 131.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 279.7 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 131.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
131.1 mi into trip | ~2h 47m 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...
6
155.5 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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
265.4 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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 none lane. Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
7
278.8 mi into trip | ~5h 59m 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
279.6 mi into trip | ~6h 1m in | Grant Street

Turn right onto Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

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

Altoona

155.5 mi in | ~3h 17m | via I 99; US 220

Hollidaysburg

189.3 mi in | ~3h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 61.2 mi 1h 25m
Keystone Shortway 50.6 mi 54m
I 99 33.8 mi 36m
PA 87 25.9 mi 45m
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
Route 220 Highway 17.2 mi 19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 13.5 mi 18m
Admiral Peary Highway 13.4 mi 19m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 61.2 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on PA 29

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Turn right onto US 6

2.1 mi · 3 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Merge onto US 6

4.0 mi · 6 min · Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn left onto PA 87

3.6 mi · 5 min · PA 87
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto PA 87

22 mi · 39 min · PA 87
6

Turn right onto PA 87

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Mill Street
7

Turn left onto PA 87; US 220

0.7 mi · 45 sec · South German Street
8

Continue on US 220

4.9 mi · 5 min · Appalachian Throughway
9

Continue on US 220

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Appalachian Thruway
10

Continue on US 220

4.2 mi · 4 min · Cliff Avenue
11

Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Appalacian Thruway
12

Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck

0.2 mi · 10 sec · Appalachian Thruway
13

Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck

17 mi · 19 min · Route 220 Highway
14

Continue on US 220

4.4 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
15

Continue on PA 405

1.9 mi · 2 min · PA 405
16

Continue on PA 405

0.8 mi · 1 min · PA 405
17

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
18

Merge onto I 180

12 mi · 13 min · I 180
19

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
20

Merge onto I 80

51 mi · 54 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the none lane.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
22

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road
Use the none lane.
23

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
24

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
25

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · this road
Use the none lane.
26

Continue on US 22

16 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway
Use the none lane.
27

Continue on US 22

13 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

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 none lane.
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 71B Toward Second Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Turn straight onto Second Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Second Avenue
32

At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Ross Street
33

Turn left onto Fifth Avenue

352 ft · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
34

Turn right onto Grant Street

513 ft · 21 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
35

Arrive at destination

Grant Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh before finishing the remainder of the 279.7-mile trek. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 cost estimate assumes consistent highway speeds. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level. Be prepared to switch between the William Penn Highway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-99, so keep your navigation tools handy for those transitions.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.8 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 2h 58m 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 80 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.8 miles or 2h 58m 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 47m

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 Tunkhannock, 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 Tunkhannock, PA

This is one driving day of about 279.7 miles and 6h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tunkhannock, 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 139.8 mi from Tunkhannock, PA · 2h 58m into the drive

Downtown Corning, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corning, NY

140 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

Union, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hornell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Tunkhannock, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.28 one way

$92.57 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $50.64 $101.29
premium $4.92 $54.20 $108.40
diesel $5.64 $62.14 $124.28

Estimated Tolls: $0.04

Appalachian Thruway (0.5 mi) $0.04

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

$46

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.9 1 $29.37 $13.43
Efficient EV 69.9 0 $24.47 $11.19
EV Truck/SUV 111.9 1 $39.16 $17.90

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tunkhannock, PA

Evening in Tunkhannock on Sunday

Local time

8:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburgh, PA

Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday

Local time

8:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

1 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

6h 1m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tunkhannock, PA to Pittsburgh, PA covers 279.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, Keystone Shortway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.8 miles from Tunkhannock, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 20 significant decision points across 279.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 131.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.4 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.
Between Tunkhannock, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.

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Return Trip

Pittsburgh, PA to Tunkhannock, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

276.2 mi 6h 2m

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