Travel means adventure and it is one of life's adventures you don't want to miss. It is worth every ounce of your time & effort to see what is out there and let that experience generate refreshing perspectives in your life. Navigating the distance of 133.3 miles from Cleveland to Pittsburgh qualifies for a grand journey, for the trip conjoins two major cities of Ohio and Pennsylvania; Cleveland is the 2nd largest city in the state of Ohio and Pittsburgh is the 2nd largest city of Pennsylvania. What is the distance from Cleveland to Pittsburgh? About 140 miles.
Cleveland to Pittsburgh by Car
There’s something I love about shorter road trips—just long enough to feel like you’re going somewhere, but not so long you need a playlist overhaul. The drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh is one of those sweet spots. About 135 miles and 2.5 hours, door to door. But if you give yourself the time (and the snacks), there’s a lot to love along the way.
I left Cleveland after a quick morning stroll through the West Side Market, coffee in hand and a chocolate croissant stashed in the passenger seat. The drive starts out easy—wide highways and a slow shift from city to farmland. Somewhere around Youngstown, I remember thinking, "This part of the country holds more than people give it credit for." There’s grit and beauty mixed together in a way that feels real.
As you cross into Pennsylvania, the hills start to rise and roll. Pittsburgh doesn’t just appear—it unfolds. I came in just before sunset and watched the city light up from the Fort Pitt Tunnel exit. That moment when the skyline bursts into view? It’s cinematic. I caught myself saying out loud, “Wow.”
Once in town, I headed to Apteka, a cozy, modern Polish spot tucked into a leafy neighborhood. I ordered their smoked mushroom pierogi and a house-made soda—earthy, comforting, and the perfect welcome after the drive. Sitting outside under string lights, I felt that post-road-trip satisfaction: tired in a good way, full in the best way.
Cleveland to Pittsburgh At a Glance
- Distance: ~135 miles
- Drive Time: ~2.5 hours (longer with scenic stops)
- Route: I-80 E or I-76 E (via Ohio Turnpike and PA Turnpike)
- Best Pit Stops: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Youngstown, roadside diners
- Scenic Tip: Time your arrival in Pittsburgh for sunset—skyline views from Fort Pitt Tunnel are stunning
- My Local Pick: Dinner at Apteka and a sunset walk on Pittsburgh’s North Shore Trail
By Train
Amtrak, short for America and track (trak), is a passenger railroad service provider for USA and three of Canada’s provinces. Amtrak trains provide medium and long-distance rail service to over 500 destinations and this makes it the most preferred railway service in the US.
The Amtrak train journey from Cleveland to Pittsburgh is served by Amtrak’s Capitol Limited train that runs once every day. The travel time for this route is 3.11 hours and a single journey ticket price starts from $22 for ‘Saver’ seating option; Amtrak offers five more seating options namely, Value, Flexible, Superliner Roomette, Family Bedroom and Superliner Bedroom, the most luxurious family room that can cost upto $446. Other than the basic train facilities, the coach offers services like carry-on baggage, checked baggage, lounge, pantry car and onboard wheelchair ramp.
The Cleveland, OH (CLE) Amtrak station is an enclosed waiting area located at 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway. The station has a ticket office, a payphone and restrooms. Pittsburgh, PA (PGH) Amtrak station is also an enclosed waiting area that is equipped with a ticket office, Quik-Trak kiosk, restrooms, payphone, ATM and elevator. The station is situated at 1100 Liberty Avenue.
Amtrak offers passengers to add bike to their trip by pre-booking the bike space with their ticket - an additional feature that is bound to make your train journey a memorable one.
Cleveland to Pittsburgh by Bus
There’s something quietly satisfying about taking the bus—no traffic worries, no pit-stops for gas, just wide windows and rolling landscape. The Greyhound route from Cleveland to Pittsburgh is about 114–129 miles, averaging a travel time of 2 h 25 m to 2 h 48 m, depending on the schedule you choose. Buses run around four times daily, typically between early morning (around 2:30 AM) and late afternoon (around 4:40 PM).
Your pickup spot is the iconic Greyhound station at 1465 Chester Ave, Cleveland—a Streamline-Moderne beauty from 1948 that feels like stepping back in time. After boarding, the bus whisks you off over rolling Ohio farmland and gentle hills. I used the time to read, doze, and watch the world slip by—caught in that in-between rhythm that brings its own quiet comfort.
Expect to arrive at the bustling Pittsburgh Intermodal Station near downtown—a hub that’ll drop you right into the heart of the city. It’s a smooth transition: you step off, grab a quick coffee, and suddenly you’re ready for steel city exploration.
I once took the 4:15 PM bus and arrived around 7 PM, just in time for golden-hour bridge views and evening energy. I remember thinking, “This is easy travel—just me, the road, a seat that gets me there.”
Once in town, I hopped over to Apteka in East Liberty for dinner—a cozy spot with Eastern European flavors. I went with their smoked mushroom pierogi and a tangy house soda—a welcome reward after sitting for a couple of hours.
- Distance: ~114–129 miles
- Travel Time: 2 h 25 m fastest, up to ~2 h 48 m depending on schedule
- Frequency: ~4 buses daily (earliest ~2:30 AM, latest ~4:40 PM)
- Price: $30–65 (often around $32–40); booking in advance gets the best rates
- Route: Direct Greyhound bus from Cleveland Bus Station ? Pittsburgh Intermodal Station
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, restroom, extra legroom, checked and carry-on luggage included
- Pro Tip: Morning and late-night departures often have cheaper fares; Wednesdays and Mondays can be quieter
- Arrival Tip: Take the early evening bus to sync with Pittsburgh’s sunset vibes and local dinner culture
Via Cab Service
Uber is the new favorite cab service that lets passengers book their personalized rides via a mobile application. Uber offers taxi service from Cleveland to Pittsburgh via its distinguished cab options namely; UberBLACK, uberX, uberXL & uberSELECT. An Uber ride from Cleveland to Pittsburgh costs from $109 to $146 via one of Uber’s economy cab options, uberX.
If you are planning for a grand entrance at your destination, Limo service is the right choice as you get to choose extravagant cars from Sedans to Presidential SUVs. From bus & Amtrak stations to airport & street pickups, Cleveland Taxi Limo offers luxurious rides from Cleveland to Pittsburgh; the price starts from $299 to engage a basic Sedan Towncar.
The Taxi Fare Finder is a one stop destination to check out taxi fare standards in all the cities of United States, compare fares and book your taxi.
Cleveland to Pittsburgh by Bike
The Cleveland bike routes traverse the city and its suburbs so familiarity with urban riding on city streets or bike paths is an added advantage. One of the most popular bike routes in Cleveland takes you to Lake Erie; en route Lake Erie one can come across the most interesting cultural, historic and scenic interests of Cleveland.
Expansive hills make up the landscape in western Pennsylvania but favorably a major part of bike route is on rural roads and highways with fairly low-level traffic. This makes riding a bike in Pittsburg truly an adventure. One of the most popular bike routes is across the waters of Ohio where cyclists get a splendid view of Point State Park, the tip of Pittsburgh's "Golden Triangle" which is also the joining point of the rivers Allegheny and Monongahela. Pittsburgh bike routes are predominantly marked with Underground Railroad sites, historic markers and museums.
Google suggests three bike routes to travel Cleveland to Pittsburgh; via PA-51 S (144.5 mi) - 12.37 hours, via US-422 E (150.8 mi) - 14.02 hours and via OH-88 E (152.8 mi) - 14.14 hours.
By Plane
The biggest and the busiest airport in the state of Ohio is the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). The airport is located nine miles from central Cleveland in Cuyahoga County and is known for offering first-class airport experience with its topnotch services like welcome center, information desk, courtesy phones, currency exchange, ATMs and recreation facilities like shopping, dining, lounges, plug-in work stations, artwork & exhibits and it also offers Healthy CLE, an airport initiative to help its staff and passengers make healthy lifestyle choices from food to exercise.
Although the road journey from Cleveland to Pittsburgh takes a little over 2 hours, there are no direct flights from CLE to PIT. Airlines like American, United, Delta and Southwest operate flights from CLE to PIT with stopovers at Chicago or Boston for single stop flights or at Chicago and Washington, D.C. or Detroit for double stop flights. The flight tickets cost from $451 and the journey varies between 3.34 to 12.46 hours depending on the layover time.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is located in a suburban area that is 20 miles west of Pittsburgh downtown. PIT is predominantly a passenger airport serving Southwestern Pennsylvania and also operates flights to Canada, Mexico, Europe & the Caribbean. PIT serves over 8 million passengers per annum; it is the second busiest passenger airport in Pennsylvania and is ranked 47th busiest in the US. Along with high-speed free Wi-Fi access and other facilities like information desks, courtesy phones and special facilities for the physically impaired, the airport showcases a plethora of art collections throughout the airport.