How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Swarthmore, PA?
The driving distance from Pittsburgh, PA to Swarthmore, PA is about 297.3 miles (478.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.1 miles (399.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Borough of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pittsburgh and Swarthmore.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pittsburgh and Swarthmore.
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1
Start on Grant Street
14 m · 9 sec · Grant Street
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2
Continue on Grant Street
1539 ft · 1 min · Grant Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 376 East: Monroeville
2054 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight right onto Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.6 mi · 19 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
1317 ft · 1 min
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6
Continue straight
885 ft · 30 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Harrisburg
855 ft · 29 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
263.8 mi · 4 hr 47 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
1.1 km · 2 min
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10
Turn left onto North Morehall Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Morehall Road
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11
Continue on South Morehall Road
1 km · 1 min · South Morehall Road
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12
Turn left onto Lancaster Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · Lancaster Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Darby Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Darby Road
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14
Turn right onto Darby Paoli Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Darby Paoli Road
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15
Continue on Newtown Street Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Newtown Street Road
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16
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Chester Pike
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17
Turn slight right onto Springfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Springfield Road
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18
Continue on Sproul Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Sproul Road
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Sproul Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Sproul Road
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20
Continue on Cedar Lane
695 ft · 20 sec · Cedar Lane
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21
Turn slight left onto North Swarthmore Avenue
547 ft · 18 sec · North Swarthmore Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North Chester Road
1.1 km · 2 min · North Chester Road
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Chester Road
82 m · 12 sec · North Chester Road
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24
Exit the roundabout onto North Chester Road
3 m · 1 sec · North Chester Road
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25
Turn slight right onto Myers Avenue
132 m · 23 sec · Myers Avenue
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26
Turn right onto Park Avenue
43 m · 6 sec · Park Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pittsburgh and Swarthmore.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
264 mi · 04h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Pittsburgh and Mostly Sunny near Swarthmore.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pittsburgh to Swarthmore?
The road trip is about 297.3 miles (478.5 km) and usually takes 05h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shade Gap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.4 miles from Pittsburgh and 148.9 miles from Swarthmore.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.1 miles (399.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.86 one way or $85.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Pittsburgh and Mostly Sunny near Swarthmore.
Stop Ideas Near Shade Gap
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shade Gap.
Huntingdon
Lewistown
Hancock, MD
Altoona Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pittsburgh and Swarthmore. Straight-line distance: 248.06 mi (399.22 km).
#1 Pittsburgh
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania and the center of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
| Population | 299,226 |
| Coordinates | 40.4406200, -79.9958900 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Swarthmore
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,372 |
| Coordinates | 39.9020600, -75.3499100 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
End: Swarthmore (-75.34991, 39.90206)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $42.86 | $85.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $48.24 | $96.49 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $51.97 | $103.93 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $62.73 | $125.46 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.