Major Highways & Driving Tips in Pittsburgh, United States
1. Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76)
A major east-west highway connecting Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Notable for its toll system and speed limits.
- Toll Road: Requires electronic payment or E-ZPass
- Speed Limits: Varying speed limits, especially in work zones
- Rest Areas: Fewer rest areas compared to other interstates
2. I-376 (Parkway East)
A major east-west highway connecting Pittsburgh's downtown with its eastern suburbs. Known for scenic views and heavy traffic.
- Scenic Views: Offers panoramic views of the city and rivers
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects
3. I-279 (Loop), Westbound
A beltway around Pittsburgh's downtown. Known for its complex interchanges and tight curves.
- Complex Interchanges: Requires careful navigation at intersections
- Tight Curves: Curves can be sharp and difficult for larger vehicles
- Rush Hour Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be heavy, particularly in the downtown area
4. I-279 (Loop), Eastbound
Continuation of I-279 from the west. Known for its long tunnels and steep grades.
- Long Tunnels: Tunnels can be intimidating, especially for new drivers
- Steep Grades: Steep descents and climbs require careful braking and acceleration
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects
5. Route 60 (US-60)
A north-south highway connecting Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. Notable for its rural stretches and local attractions.
- Rural Stretches: Offers scenic views but also requires attention due to wildlife
- Local Attractions: Passes through towns with local attractions like Ohiopyle State Park and Falls Creek
- Speed Limits: Varying speed limits, especially in work zones and town areas
6. Route 8 (US-8)
A north-south highway connecting Pittsburgh to Erie. Known for its scenic beauty and winding roads.
- Scenic Beauty: Offers stunning views of the Allegheny Mountains
- Winding Roads: Requires careful driving due to numerous curves and hilly terrain
- Speed Limits: Varying speed limits, especially in work zones and town areas
7. Route 19 (US-19)
A north-south highway connecting Pittsburgh to Morgantown, West Virginia. Known for its hilly terrain and local attractions.
- Hilly Terrain: Requires careful driving due to numerous hills and steep grades
- Local Attractions: Passes through towns with local attractions like Seven Springs Mountain Resort
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects
8. Route 22 (US-22)
A north-south highway connecting Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio. Known for its flat terrain and commercial areas.
- Flat Terrain: Offers easier driving compared to other highways in the area
- Commercial Areas: Passes through commercial areas with numerous restaurants and shopping centers
- Speed Limits: Varying speed limits, especially in work zones and town areas
9. Route 28 (US-28)
A north-south highway connecting Pittsburgh to the Pennsylvania/Ohio border. Known for its rural stretches and local attractions.
- Rural Stretches: Offers scenic views but also requires attention due to wildlife
- Local Attractions: Passes through towns with local attractions like Moraine State Park
- Speed Limits: Varying speed limits, especially in work zones and town areas
10. Bob O'Connor Highway (I-579)
A limited access highway connecting I-376 to downtown Pittsburgh. Known for its short length and heavy traffic.
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects
- Short Length: Limited access highway with a short length, making it quick to traverse
11. Liberty Tunnel
A major east-west tunnel connecting Pittsburgh's Liberty Avenue with the Parkway West. Known for its historic significance and heavy traffic.
- Historic Significance: One of the original tunnels built as part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
- Speed Limits: Lower speed limits due to the tunnel's narrow lanes and tight curves
12. Big Bridge (6th Street Bridge)
A major bridge connecting Pittsburgh's North Side with the Downtown area. Known for its unique design and pedestrian walkway.
- Unique Design: Suspension bridge designed by renowned engineer Charles Bowman
- Pedestrian Walkway: Offers a pedestrian walkway for scenic views of the city and rivers
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
13. Smithfield Street Bridge
A major bridge connecting Pittsburgh's Downtown area with the Strip District. Known for its historic significance and pedestrian walkway.
- Historic Significance: One of the oldest bridges in Pittsburgh, constructed in the late 19th century
- Pedestrian Walkway: Offers a pedestrian walkway for scenic views of the city and rivers
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
14. Squirrel Hill Tunnels
A pair of tunnels connecting Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood with the East End. Known for their complex interchanges and heavy traffic.
- Complex Interchanges: Requires careful navigation at intersections
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects
15. Fort Pitt Bridge
A major bridge connecting Pittsburgh's West End with the Oakland neighborhood. Known for its iconic design and heavy traffic.
- Iconic Design: Suspension bridge designed by renowned engineer David Steinman
- Heavy Traffic: Peak hour traffic can be congested
- Construction Zones: Regular construction zones due to ongoing maintenance and improvement projects