- Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh Summarized
- Ohiopyle State Park: Best Day Trip from Pittsburgh for Outdoor Adventure
- Old Economy Village: Ideal Day Trip for German History Buffs
- Laurel Caverns: One of the Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh for Geology Enthusiasts
- Seven Springs Resort: One of the Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh in Winter
- Presque Isle State Park: Best Day Trip from Pittsburgh for a Beach Day
- Canton, Ohio: Perfect Day Trip for Sports Enthusiasts
If you’re heading to Pittsburgh and renting a car, you have the entire surrounding region at your fingertips. The city itself boasts plenty of attractions, but renting a car makes it easy to explore even more. Getting a car rental in Pittsburgh is easy; you can pick it up right when you land at the Pittsburgh Airport.
Whether you’re looking to hit the beach, discover the area’s history, or head to one of Pennsylvania’s best ski resorts, there’s a day trip from Pittsburgh for you. Let’s dive into the 6 best day trips from Pittsburgh by car.
Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh Summarized
| Destination | Distance from Pittsburgh | Drive time | Route | Highlights |
| Ohiopyle State Park | 68.4 miles | 1 hour 15 minutes | I-76 E (toll road) | Whitewater rafting, hiking |
| Old Economy Village | 18.3 miles | 35 minutes | PA-65 N | Preserved German settlement buildings |
| Laurel Caverns | 68.4 miles | 1 hour 30 minutes | PA-43 S (toll road) | Four miles of underground sandstone caves |
| Seven Springs Resort | 59.7 miles | 1 hour 10 minutes | I-76 E (toll road) | Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing |
| Presque Isle State Park | 128 miles | 2 hours | I-79 N | Beaches |
| Canton, Ohio | 91.9 miles | 2 hours | I-76 W | Pro Football Hall of Fame, William McKinley’s Tomb |
Ohiopyle State Park: Best Day Trip from Pittsburgh for Outdoor Adventure
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 68.4 miles
- Drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Main route: I-76 E (toll road)
Located southeast of Pittsburgh, Ohiopyle State Park is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. The park offers almost 80 miles of hiking trails with options suitable for all levels. Biking and rock climbing are other popular activities here, but the real adventure awaits on the water.
Ohiopyle is a renowned destination for whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River. Choose from rafts, kayaks, or closed-deck canoes and hit the water.
SIXT Pro Tip: Frank Lloyd Weber’s Fallingwater house, perched atop a beautiful waterfall, is located just a few minutes away from Ohiopyle.
Old Economy Village: Ideal Day Trip for German History Buffs
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 18.3 miles
- Drive time: 35 minutes
- Main route: PA-65 N
Those interested in the history of German settlers will love visiting Old Economy Village. This historic settlement just north of Pittsburgh was founded by the German Harmony Society, a religious communal group, in the early 1800s.
Today, 17 buildings from the original settlement are preserved, and visitors can explore the library, gardens, archives, and more. These buildings offer insight into the unique group’s economic and spiritual practices as well as their cultural background.
SIXT Pro Tip: The settlement is typically closed to the public from January through March, so plan accordingly.
Laurel Caverns: One of the Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh for Geology Enthusiasts
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 68.4 miles
- Drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Main route: PA-43 S (toll road)
If you’re looking to head underground, Laurel Caverns is one of the best day trips from Pittsburgh by car. Situated near the West Virginia border, Laurel Caverns is Pennsylvania’s largest cave system with over four miles of underground tunnels. You can explore both lit and unlit passages as well as do a maze crawl if you’re really looking to get down and dirty.
These sandstone caves are home to incredible rock formations, and there are five different tour options, so there’s something for all levels. There’s even a Caving for Kids program, making this one of the best day trips from Pittsburgh with kids.
SIXT Pro Tip: No matter when you visit, bring a jacket; the caves hover at temperatures just above 50°F all year round.
Seven Springs Resort: One of the Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh in Winter
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 59.7 miles
- Drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Main route: I-76 E (toll road)
Those visiting Pittsburgh during winter should head to Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Located in the Allegheny Mountains, this is one of the best day trips for skiing and other winter sports. The resort boasts 10 ski lifts alongside 33 different trails ranging from beginner to advanced.
This doesn’t have to just be a winter destination, though—there are plenty of summer activities here, too. Take a scenic chairlift ride, hike one of the trails, or head down the alpine slide for a bit of adventure.
SIXT Pro Tip: The resort also has plenty of indoor activities to indulge in, making this one of the best weekend getaways for families if you’re looking to extend your trip.
Presque Isle State Park: Best Day Trip from Pittsburgh for a Beach Day
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 128 miles
- Drive time: 2 hours
- Main route: I-79 N
You can’t have a list of fun day trips from Pittsburgh without the beach! Presque Isle State Park is one of the best day trips within 2 hours of Pittsburgh, located north of the city on the shores of Lake Erie.
Presque Isle is a favorite spot for swimmers and boaters, and you may even see some surfers on days when the water is particularly choppy. The beaches here also offer opportunities for beach glass hunting and bird watching.
SIXT Pro Tip: Presque Isle is just four miles from downtown Erie, so pop into town for a bite to eat in your Pennsylvania car rental before driving back to Pittsburgh.
Canton, Ohio: Perfect Day Trip for Sports Enthusiasts
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 91.9 miles
- Drive time: 2 hours
- Main route: I-76 W
If you’ve got a football lover in your crew, head northwest to Canton, Ohio. Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which celebrates legendary NFL players, coaches, and other significant figures in the sport’s history.
For those interested in other topics in history, Canton is also the resting place of William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States.
SIXT Pro Tip: For a piece of feminist history, check out the First Ladies’ National Historic Site.
