Origin
Tunkhannock, PA
Evening in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tunkhannock, PA
Jack Pace
Pittsburgh, PA
LaMont L. Johnson
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
Take the exit toward Second Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Between Tunkhannock, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
Hollidaysburg
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Tunkhannock, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on PA 29
Turn right onto US 6
Merge onto US 6
Turn left onto PA 87
Turn left onto PA 87
Turn right onto PA 87
Turn left onto PA 87; US 220
Continue on US 220
Continue on US 220
Continue on US 220
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
Continue on US 220; PA 42 Truck
Continue on US 220
Continue on PA 405
Continue on PA 405
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 180
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Turn right onto Grant Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$46.28 one way
$92.57 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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