How far is Swarthmore, PA from Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance from Swarthmore, PA to Pittsburgh, PA is about 305.8 miles (492.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.1 miles (399.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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 04h 44m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Swarthmore and Pittsburgh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swarthmore and Pittsburgh.
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1
Start on Park Avenue
601 ft · 27 sec · Park Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Chester Road
26 m · 4 sec · North Chester Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Chester Road
82 m · 12 sec · North Chester Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto North Chester Road
1.1 km · 2 min · North Chester Road
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5
Turn left onto North Swarthmore Avenue
547 ft · 16 sec · North Swarthmore Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Cedar Lane
652 ft · 21 sec · Cedar Lane
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7
Turn left onto East Baltimore Pike
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Baltimore Pike
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8
Continue on Baltimore Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · Baltimore Avenue
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9
Continue on Baltimore Pike
1.4 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Pike
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10
Take the exit right
96 m · 11 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road
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12
Continue on South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
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13
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
3.2 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
1172 ft · 45 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chester Bypass
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16
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton
7.5 mi · 12 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward PATP
1875 ft · 46 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1685 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
256.4 mi · 4 hr 39 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
3142 ft · 3 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
945 ft · 23 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
108 m · 9 sec
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23
Merge slight right onto Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.2 mi · 18 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Second Avenue
1137 ft · 39 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
1376 ft · 42 sec · Second Avenue
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto Ross Street
978 ft · 32 sec · Ross Street
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27
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
107 m · 10 sec · Fifth Avenue
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28
Turn right onto Grant Street
157 m · 22 sec · Grant Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grant Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Swarthmore and Pittsburgh.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
256 mi · 04h 39m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Swarthmore and Rain Showers Likely near Pittsburgh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Swarthmore to Pittsburgh?
The road trip is about 305.8 miles (492.2 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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 147.9 miles from Swarthmore and 157.9 miles from Pittsburgh.
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 57.7 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 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.09 one way or $88.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Swarthmore and Rain Showers Likely near Pittsburgh.
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 Swarthmore and Pittsburgh. Straight-line distance: 248.06 mi (399.22 km).
#1 Swarthmore
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,372 |
| Coordinates | 39.9020600, -75.3499100 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Grant Street (-79.995923, 40.440633)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 492 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $44.09 | $88.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $49.62 | $99.25 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $53.45 | $106.91 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $64.52 | $129.05 |
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.