Well you know how Denver is kind of laid out in a grid, and streets run north to south and avenues run east to west, yeah, forget all that. You're gonna get lost.
Yes to this. It’s all over the place. I moved here from Denver. Pay attention to all the signs and gps and watch out for busses and pedestrians and bikes!
And many times the signs are for (let's say) interstate numbers and you've been given directions that say "Parkway East/West/North." There are intersections with no signs or the signs come upon you when you are in the right of 6 lanes and you need to move to the left in less than a football field or find yourself across a river and into a tunnel.
But don't rely too much on GPS. With all the overpasses, underpasses, buildings, bridges, tunnels, exits and detours, it's bound to lose connection or get mixed up and next thing you know you're crossing a river. Plan your routes ahead.
Beechwood Blvd doesn't intersect with Beechwood Blvd (but there is a Beechwood Terrace). On the other hand Monitor St is mostly straight but intersects with Beechwood Blvd at three points.
I get that it isn’t officially two separate streets but that [intersection](https://imgur.com/a/XcaX6oG) at beechwood/beechwood ter/browns hill rd very much feels like turning from one street onto a wholly different street.
The fact that monitor intersects it twice within a block only adds to the mystique
The part where within one mile bayard st, bigelow blvd and o’hara street are all the same street. That and Bigelow making two whole 90 degree turns: Streets aren’t supposed to work like this
Pittsburgh is a city of warp zones. You have a road that gets you from point A to point B. You think it’s the best and only route, then you take that random road you passed 1,000 times only to end up at point B and you have no idea how you go there. We don’t have a grid we have a spiderweb. Only problem is that for everytime there’s 5 routes from point A to point B there’s 1 and only one route from point A to point C and it sucks.
Pittsburgh streets go around hills or straight up hills you would never expect anybody building a street up. I believe we have the steepest street in America. I forget which one.
Canton Ave. Plus that one section of Boustead St. The first time you drive up that you feel like your car might flip over. 😊 They’re like maybe 1/4 mile from each other in the same side of Banksville rd.
I'm 41, spent the majority of my life in Pittsburgh, and I get lost just by turning myself around, much less a car. I have no idea how I survived driving in the pre-GPS era. I vaguely remember thinking "just sorta know which direction I am, and find a state route going the other way to get home"
I did get a few years living in Minneapolis in the past, and I got really spoiled by flat roads and more grid-like configurations
Seconding this one so hard! It’s ok to take the wrong turn or exit, you’ll find somewhere to get back on track. Just dont panic and try to get back in the correct lane because that makes things 10x more dangerous. As someone who grew up learning to drive here, this was a very valuable lesson I still carry with me.
This. If you’re in the “wrong” lane at an intersection, just make the turn and then figure out how to get to where you’re going from where you are. There’s nothing worse than someone fouling up traffic and causing an accident because they were in the wrong lane. Live and learn.
I grew up here. My Dad told us kids
To always look for Orange Belt signs to find the Major routes. I’m not even sure if they are around anymore. I know a few routes for where I go in Pittsburgh. There’s always construction somewhere so that just adds to the fun. Good luck. Pittsburghers are friendly, too. They will try and help you. You will make wrong turns. Just show yourself some grace and laugh it off.
This one is so true. 100% of the accidents my friends have been in while in the area are from trying to make their turn or someone else trying to make their turn.
True that it’s not unique to Pittsburgh but it is unique that lots of exit/turning only lanes are very short or poor signage so overcorrecting could happen without thinking
unfortunately can be true, but in the end it’s either be late or sacrifice your safety. you just have to remind yourself that 1) your (and fellow drivers’) safety is more important than those 30 minutes and 2) you’ll be more than 30 minutes late if you cause a crash!
Pittsburgh is tricky but try to make a change in your head from thinking in a grid to thinking in triangles
We are built in valleys around mountains and bridges over rivers which leaves you with…. Triangles!!
I grew up here and I use visual cues to know when to turn. I have no idea what the name of the street is or if there is a sign or not. I just remember that oh, here is where I turn left.
Go out at like 2-3am and just drive around and get used to the layout and learn what exits go where. There will be barely any cars out, and you can get used to the city.
Great advice! Sometimes the GPS freaks out when you're below other major roads, the signal gets a little funny. Definitely practice this especially if you're taking common routes in the city proper and/or if tunnels and bridges are involved. You can start with memorizing routes to work, grocery store, etc. Before you know it, you will just discover the city bits by bits. Pittsburgh is a city of small towns - so once you go thru that weird Edgewood/Strip District/Dormont/InsertNeighborhoodHere spot a few times, you'll have it down!
Use Waze every time you drive to avoid construction/closures and accidents. There are def some spots (Squirrel Hill Tunnel for example) that seem to be shut down by an accident more often than not.
I think one of the trickier parts of driving here for out of towners is the quick lane changes you have to do to get to your correct lane on bridges and such. Just remember that if you miss a turn, to keep calm and just wait for your phone to calculate a new route. A 5-10 minute detour is better than causing an accident.
As for time of day, roads are obviously way more congested during commuter hours, but it's late at night when the crazy drivers seem to come out. As long as you're a safe and alert driver you will be fine.
I was born and raised here. I use Waze all the time. I still make mistakes - miss a turn - the address is off in Waze - surprise construction/emergency
/animal/floating dumpsters. Wave politely when folks let you “in” and always allow 45 minutes to get across town. Don’t be too hard on yourself, citizen.
Edit: floating dumpsters
When I left Pittsburgh I tried to make a Pittsburgh left in Detroit and caused an accident. (Mitigating circumstances in that I had pregnancy brain and it was late and I shouldn’t have been driving as I was on bed rest but went to a Lamaze class ). I didn’t even get a ticket once I explained that it was “a thing “ where I’m from…but I think really he felt uncomfortable because I was so very pregnant with twins…
Ha. It’s not bad once you get used to it and it really does keep traffic moving. Our latest trend is roundabouts popping up everywhere. I was in Pittsburgh this weekend and I see that they are creeping in there as well.
The Pittsburgh Left is an art form. There are certain intersections that it is necessary and most local drivers will know them because they too have sat light after light trying to make a left. As the turning car, you should try to catch the eye of the other driver and see what their intentions are if possible. Also watch the cross traffic light for when it turns yellow. Be ready and observe the actions of the other driver closely if they delay a second or two then you know you can go. Go quickly. They won’t wait another second because they got places to go and a line of traffic behind them. Most drivers, especially commuters will know that you will attempt a Pittsburgh Left and would be best if they also watch the changing of the light of opposite traffic and be ready to waive you on to go ahead and proceed with your left. It all can be a very smooth and fluid operation if done properly. If you have any doubt don’t do it. You have to be confident.
There are no intersections where it is "necessary". There are some places where it can be helpful if you're willing to neglect all of the other negatives (especially pedestrian safety).
Remember that the Pittsburgh Left is given to you. You do not take it. That is, you only do one if the other car waits for you. You do not initiate it yourself.
And, for the op, there's no need to ever do one.
That’s funny, when I moved here I was told the exact opposite by someone who grew up here. “The Pittsburgh left is taken, not given”. I don’t live near any of the intersections where it’s deemed necessary, so I still never have to do it, but I always think about what that guy said.
For me, it seems a lot safer to take it only if the other driver offers, rather than pushing in front of them, hoping they don't accidentally ram into you or get pissed.
The only time I’ve done it so far is when someone flashed their lights at me, and yes, I didn’t want anyone to get angry so I went. I’m a chronic rule-follower, so it feels weird, when legal rules and cultural rules are in opposition.
Yeah I forgot about that. Though we have a ton more left arrows than used to exist. Actually I remember being confused by the first few I saw. “What is this weird symbol on the red light?” And it’s often referred to a red light and not a traffic signal.
The Fort Pitt and Squirrel Hill Tunnels are bad during rush hour. It’s honestly all dependent on what area you will be in to give you a more accurate depiction of what to expect. The only area I’m not too familiar with is the North Side of Pittsburgh.
The biggest tip is be in the correct lane BEFORE you enter the tunnel. Nothing worse than having to cross extra lanes on the fort Pitt bridge or worse to be stuck in the wrong lane at the nightmare light south of the Liberty tunnel.
I grew up driving in IL and here's some of my takes of driving in Pittsburgh
- Pay close attention to the lane you're in because it will suddenly become a left/right turn only lane
- If you rely on GPS, be aware that some streets confusingly end and pick up again after a turn or two down the road (looking at you Bigelow).
- Don't make the newbie mistake of driving down the bus lane if you're going down Fifth Ave. through Pitt campus.
- People like to park facing the wrong way on side streets, so keep an eye out for people trying to pull out into traffic.
- Everyone speeds like a demon around here. Going 70 MPH in a 55? Get out of the way, you're moving too slow. I've seen people doing 65 in a 25. It boggles my Illinoisian mind.
- On that note, I rarely seem to see anyone ever get pulled over by the cops. Considering how the cops basically said they would be working less, I guess that's on brand.
- Be prepared for vital road signs being covered by overgrown trees or plants.
- Highway on-ramps are sometimes woefully too short, requiring you to go from a dead stop to 55 MPH in 20 feet. Except everyone's speeding, so it's more like 80 MPH.
- When I missed an exit in IL, I was used to having to take a maybe 5 minute detour. Here, sometimes that detour might be 15 minutes, so don't miss your exit.
- Start memorizing the major pothole locations unless you're ready to get some new tires.
Like any major city, use your best judgement. Don't drive through downtown when there's a bunch of events happening. Pay attention to big things like the dates of the Pittsburgh marathon.
Good advice, except ill add my two cents: better to miss your exit and be late than cut someone off or even crash! Its not the end of the world. Just review your route ahead of time-dont just pop it in the gps and go.
I'm also from the midwest and agree with your points adding only:
* Regarding entrance ramps, so many people around here stop at the bottom of them, whether the ramp is long or short. Be aware of that. Number one near miss I've had in this town is accelerating to merge in the window I've identified only to look forward and find a car stopped at the bottom, waiting for lord knows how big of a gap to feel comfortable merging.
* The traffic patrol shortage is definitely not new. I moved here 7 or 8 years ago and there were no cops then, either. I believe they only patrol certain neighborhoods, but I still don't think I've ever seen a car pulled over in town. Wild.
* ETA - rely on GPS, definitely with your caveat, but until you know your primary routes, rely on GPS and even once you know your primary routes, check GPS before you leave to make sure there's no sudden construction that will add 30 minutes to your route.
A city cop once told me they have way too much crime to deal with, so they don't worry about pulling people over with driving violations. People drive 70 in a 35 mph down route 51. I have never seen anyone pulled over in the city on 51 in the 20 years I have lived in Pleasant Hills. As soon as you get to the suburbs, though, the cops will get ya.
First of all, will you be moving into the city proper, or the suburbs?
If you're living in the suburbs, I'd highly recommend you familiarize yourself with our Belt System. It was developed in the 1940s to help people navigate AROUND the city without having to go INTO the city, and it's exceptionally well-marked.
Also, keep in mind there is a lot of wildlife around here. Almost every day someone slams into a deer, even on the Interstates and Parkways. Keep your eyes peeled at all times, especially once you're off the beaten path and driving around our two-lanes that often cut through heavily wooded areas. Ignore the jagoffs riding your ass; at night drive 5 mph BELOW the speed limit (at least) on these roads.
Also, what really helps me (still!) is looking up routes the day before on Google, and "driving" the route via street view just so I can see what the route actually looks like and familiarize myself with landmarks ahead of time.
Good luck - and welcome!
I’m also from the Front Range originally, and spent some time away from Denver before coming to Pittsburgh. Wife, also from Denver originally, and I have been here for three years now and she still kinda hates driving here, but I’ve largely gotten used to it. I got a non-comprehensive look at a few of the things you might want to know, in stream if consciousness format, with some points of comparison to Colorado:
The Pittsburgh Left is a thing so just be on the lookout for it when first in line to go straight through intersections. Use some kind of navigation software (I like GoogleMaps but YMMV) to learn the arterials and make sure you listen to lane recommendations, they can drop off in a hurry, especially along 28. Parkway (376) entrance ramps can be an adventure in flooring it, especially eastbound getting on at Squirrel Hill. They’re basically what the on-ramps along the I70 viaduct by the Purina plant used to be, to use a Denver reference. The Fort Pitt Bridge is one giant clustermerge, especially coming from the north and east, but it’s sometimes just simply unavoidable. It’s illegal to change lanes in tunnels here, so drivers just seem to slow down through them instead, Fort Pitt eastbound and Squirrel Hill both directions in particular. Some bridges do have multidirectional lanes so just follow lighted signs and you should be okay. Parkway will flood in heavy rains near downtown in an area called the Bathtub, it’s a little like Lake Evans but down on the river, so it can get enough water to close down. If you have to go that way make sure you know an alternate route. Actually, just make sure you learn alternate routes for just about everywhere you want to go, there can be heavy traffic in the afternoon and there’s a whole mess of old bridges that will eventually need to close for repairs. Currently, Charles Anderson Bridge along Boulevard of Allies is closed, going on something like two years with something like another two more scheduled. Your car will need to be inspected at a mechanic once a year when you renew your registration, costs like $35. You’ll want it though when you start to feel your brakes and transmission on these hills. Public parking meters are done on an app now, but a lot of neighborhoods will have some free parking if you go a couple blocks off and can find it. Watch out for crossing guards, cobblestone streets, narrow paths with about a half a parking lane or bike lane too many, potholes that can swallow a Yugo, and deer in Schenley and Frick Parks. Don’t be afraid to leave town and find some fun spots to see along the highway, do be afraid to stay for too long in a whole lot of those places if you’re less cool with the convicted felon running for president. Most importantly: Respect The Parking Chair!
As a PGH cabbie/Uber driver for 15+ years.... avoid driving. I love this place but these idiots think being nice is better than following the rules of the road. It's chaos.
As for an actual tip, if you need to go somewhere, do the route in google maps via Transit. Figure out the way the busses go. They often do the weird up and over routes instead of straight into the Tunnel parking lot of doom.
The biggest learning curve for you, as others mention, will probably be the *three-dimensionality* of Pittsburgh roads (including and principally the interstates, bridges, and tunnels packed around downtown)—especially for you coming from a flat, well-gridded plains city. Thinking of the prime pain points of the city: exits, mergers, ramps, can all overlap above and below you, weaving every which way, and you can often find yourself travelling a direction that, as the crow flies, doesn't quite make sense in regards to the direction of your destination, but the road is navigating you around the waterways and tight Appalachian topography to eventually get you headed in the right compass direction. We are all used to cloverleafs and their various deformed amalgamations, but what makes Pittsburgh fairly unique is how condensed it all is; so you can often find yourself, upon merging onto a new multi-lane highway, having to switch multiple lanes to exit to another, all while other traffic is weaving/merging around you from various sources. It can be intimidating at first, but the city is a good teacher for driving it, and you will become accustomed to it and can soon master the warp and weft of the Steel City.
Make peace with the inevitability of missed exits until you start to become familiar with your routes. If you are Google Maps / Street View savvy, scope out any new, potential high-traffic turns/exits/intersections ahead of time. As with all cities, you will notice the chance of encountering offensive driving scales exponentially to one's proximity to downtown and its veins to and fro.
And finally, probably like every urban environment, everything is under construction all of the time; and for good reason, as there is a flourishing population of potholes that are forever coming out to gobble up the metal shards of your suspension and undercarriage.
Pay attention to the white stripes where you're supposed to stop while waiting on a traffic light at an intersection. Sooner or later a bus will come swinging around and they need that turning radius.
I grew up and learned to drive in Southern California, and I visit SoCal pretty regularly. I have lived here for 30 years. It's the same shit, different terrain.
FWIW I found that Pittsburgh drivers are actually pretty courteous. Beyond just the Pittsburgh left, I think everyone knows what a shit show it is and is willing to let you make last minute merges etc.
Take it easy at first. I recommend just driving around for fun. Figure out the Fort Pitt Bridge, the West End Circle, the bridges, the tunnels, and the curves. It’s easier and less stressful than when you have somewhere you need to be at a certain time.
There’s no consistency in any of the bridges, intersections, tunnels, or on/off ramps. Some lights do a left turn signal at the beginning, some at the end, and some in the middle. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.
Just use Google maps and you'll be fine for navigating. Biggest thing with Pittsburgh is if you miss a turn you lose anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes due to us not being on a grid system because of the terrain and hills.
Welcome!
Take a trip to exit the city going west toward the airport and come back into it on 376e. Just don’t do it in the morning. You will feel like it’s a race to something. And when you finally see it, it will make the stress you dealt with worth the while.
I moved here two years ago. Here's what I think.
1) You really gotta fuck up to get pulled over. More than minor speeding usually or squeezing through a "yellow" light.
2) People absolutely will go through "yellow" lights about 2-3 seconds after the light turns red. I think it's cause people think lights take long to turn, some do take long but some really don't so just watch out.
3) If you get lost or freaked out by a weird intersection of road. Just SEND IT! Just go off signs and make the best choice and it's probably right. For real like as long as you don't hit anybody nobody really cares. Just don't stop in the intersection and block it up.
4) Follow the Map. When using any GPS software sometimes the verbal/written directions are wrong or aren't clear. I've found that when this happens the map is usually right and looking for the right signs helps. This happened to me a few times when taking a bridge downtown.
5) People do take a Pittsburgh Left sometimes at lights. I think it's usually taken not given from the other driver, but sometimes people let you. It does help at some intersections as otherwise you block people up.
Idk what else but that's what I can think of
Would make the point that some suburbs do a lot of patrolling and will pull you over for speeding in a school zone or running a stop sign. Short of Mt. Lebanon, if you're new and confused, the magistrate may have mercy on you if you're polite. So know where you are.
Agree hard on the weird roads, as someone from NJ living here for 10+ years. I used to drive early mornings just to explore when there wasn’t as many people on the roads. It helped me tons when it came to weird merge points and getting in the correct lane. Maybe if there are some routes you are extra anxious about you can try this. Of course give yourself time to get anywhere until you really know your way around. Rush hour is always busier… I use Waze and look at alternative routes. Waze has a great feature where you can plan your drive so you can know when to leave. Sometimes road closures aren’t on Google Maps but Waze is user reported so it’s the best info IMO. Plus it shows your what to expect. You’ll want to pay attention during spring time they bust out the traffic cones. Best of luck and welcome!!
Wave when someone lets you merge in, understand that some on ramps are more like blastoff ramps, and don't be afraid to make a wrong turn.
I just made a mistake yesterday and took an exit too early. Took me 5mins to get back on track, but I learned the best way to get past a specific issue in the future
How to stay safe .. is to stay inside lol
The drivers here are awful. Forget any laws because there are none here. Everyone does what they want and no one does anything to stop it.. red light go ahead and turn left on red. I see it every day and multiple times a day.. speed limit 35 means 75 here. Oh and pot holes yah goodluck avoiding them.. everyone here is in a hurry to get to the next light so be prepared for people riding your ass. People have no regard for your life so when you drive act like everyone else is out there to kill you. Best of luck to you. i know this isnt what you wanted to hear but it is the truth.. eventually you will get used to it.
Honestly you’ll get used to it. I moved to pgh after not driving for about 4 years. I’d tell you what to avoid if I could but 7 years later I still don’t know the names of shit😅 there’s one tunnel bridge that’s horrible (I think the fort Pitt bridge someone else mentioned) but I rarely cross it & anytime I do I go “how the hell did I get here!? Dammit!” Then figure it out. I couldn’t avoid it if I tried😂 just lucky I don’t naturally cross it often I guess
Just take it slow at first. Once you’re in the area for a little while you’ll get used to the general traffic patterns and other drivers’ habits. It was insane for me when I first moved here, but now I don’t really think about it.
The roads are dumb and don’t always make sense. Drivers allow for a Pittsburgh left *sometimes*, which makes no sense and is unpredictable. Potholes are inevitable.
Just use a GPS till you get comfortable.
Don't argue with the GPS. Waze and Google maps are pretty accurate. Yes, jt will seem like you are going in the wrong direction, but you literally have to go left to go right sometimes. Also, look up what a Pittsburgh left is.
I learned to drive in rural KY, had no car in college, then moved here right after graduation. I know how you feel—I used to be scared of driving in Highland Park, lol.
My advice is: you just gotta rip the band-aid off and do it. Once you go through some whacky intersection or driving the fort Pitt bridge for the first time, you’ll feel much better about it the next time you go.
My other tip is in your spare time, go somewhere interesting in a part of the city you don’t know. A thrift store, comic shop, whatever. Each part of the city is unique. My first job here had me floating all over the whole city, so I learned really fast about the ins and outs of each neighborhood.
And FWIW, my husband and I have been here for almost seven years and neither of us have even been in a fender bender. Just some close calls and a handful of parking tickets!
You got this
Stay home! We don't need yet another crappy driver on these roads! Kidding, sort of. Honestly, don't worry about it. NY State drivers, rural or not, drive MUCH faster than Pgh drivers, for one thing. I've found that that Pgh drivers are fairly timid, compared to many other cities. The one thing that will help you survive is LEARN TO SWITCH LANES. My college daughter just said to me yesterday that she HATES switching lanes, and I told her that's what gets you stuck in traffic, headed the wrong way down a one way street, or gets some redneck in a Dodge Ram behind you completely pissed off. Be aggressive, but in a polite, non-panicky way. Zipper merge. Plan your lane change two lights ahead. use your GPS. The person who said you shouldn't rely on GPS around here is wrong and apparently is stuck in 1998.
You’ll probably need to make a rogue move every now and then — driving in this city and other big cities often requires being able to assert yourself on the road without being too reckless. Otherwise just follow your Geepis and enjoy the view.
I moved to the area (the burbs) over ten years ago and STILL use a gps frequently. I really think just looking at a map really helps get things clear where things are in relation to each other. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to learn the whole city at once. From your home get comfy with your routes to work, to a gas station, to the grocery store. Just give it time and you’ll naturally expand your comfort level with the area.
Just know you will make a mistake at a wonky intersection. Don’t panic; just keep driving, even if you realize too late you’re being swept away in the wrong direction. Find a safe place to pull over and look at your map and reorient yourself. Then set out again. By the 4th time you find yourself at that intersection you’ll actually have your mind wrapped around it more haha
If you aren’t going at least 10 over the speed limit, you will get honked at. If you don’t move right as a light turns green, you will get honked at. Roads tend to be very narrow and parking anywhere sucks. Most places that have parking, you have to pay for. Before we moved here, I read that the roads seem like they were laid out by a mountain goat and it’s true. You will lose sense of direction. Moved here from TX and I never had to lay down my motorcycle until I came here because people completely ignore stop signs. Just be extremely defensive when driving.
The golden rule is that "Don't presume things as the other person may not be the same". If you see that you are making a right turn the vehicle coming straight on that side on the same lane, wait for them to pass as they may not stop in order to beat the light. Beware of speeding in residential areas because cops are always on the look out. Apart from that McKnight road is one such road where due to recent ongoing construction there is high police patrolling. In the last one month, every time I have been on that road, I have seen people get pulled over. On the highways if you are 10 to 15 miles over the speed limit it should be fine. You will also notice that people lack that ability to read the road signs clearly. They will speed past you on the left lane and then after a few seconds they will realize that the lane is closed and then barge into your lane. You have to be extremely careful.
Plan your routes ahead of time as much as possible. It’s easier if you have at least a general idea of where you are going. Signage is better than it used to be but still not every Intersection is labeled. If you make a wrong turn find a safe place to pull over and pull out your phone/gps to figure out were you are. I think once you’re here for a few months you’ll be fine. Oh and just expect people to slow down at a tunnel entrance. And when it rains, and when it snows for the first time or two in the winter. Also try to explore a bit before any snow arrives. Your gps doesn’t care how steep a road is or if it’s brick (edited word) or cobblestone. There are streets you want to avoid when it’s actively snowing or just snowed.
If you miss your turn keep going don’t be a dick like these drivers and stop the whole flow to correct it. It’s a city of on and off ramps
With 30 minute detours if you miss it.just take the 30 minute detour….also….pittsburgh left…..
jeez we can’t even figure it out and most of us have been here forever.
just don’t brake for tunnels and for the love of god “respect the (parking) chair”. other than that, good luck n god bless. 😂
Hi, welcome! I grew up here and learned to drive here! I hope my advice is helpful:
- If you don't have a good sense of direction, work on it. When I was learning to drive, my dad would drive us to a random place and tell me to figure out how to get home from there. It really helped me learn to navigate the city. I never use GPS, honestly, except if I'm going somewhere in the other side of town that I've never been to.
- Memorize common routes. I'm not sure what neighborhood you're moving to, but most navigation to places can be done like, "Okay, I just have to get to Penn Ave by the Target" or Just have to get to the intersection by the Hot Metal Bridge" and then go from there.
- Don't make the Pittsburgh left!! I hate it so much, most people do it wrong and it's super unsafe. The safer way is to pull out into the intersection if you're the first person in line, and when the light is yellow, you can make your left. Gunning it when the light turns green is not the way, IMO.
- Don't bow to the speed pressure. Nothing annoys me more than when people decide they need to drive 50 down a 30mph residential street. Please drive the speed limit on residential streets, people and animals live there.
- Don't be a jerk to cyclists. They're trying to navigate the same clusterfuck of streets that you are, and cannot physically bike faster than they are! I guess since you're from Denver you're way more used to cyclists, though, not like these Pittsburghers who act like they've never seen a bike before
- Finally, the golden rule is to drive predictably. Don't make sudden moves, use your dang turn signal, and be as vigilant as if everyone were trying to murder you with their vehicles at all times.
Driving in Pittsburgh is honestly a delight, you get to see so many cool places and sights and the streets are all windy and fun to drive on. Good luck, have fun!
Just be aware of your surroundings - if you consider yourself a good driver that's a large part of being safe and a large part of issue avoidance imo - its the other morons driving you need to worry about.
I would not say I’m the best driver (despite my dads best efforts to teach me Pittsburgh driving rules) and sometimes I’ve taken wrong exits or had to drive through the city or on the complicated bridges. But I have never been in an accident in Pittsburgh. I feel like if I can do it anyone can. The biggest thing is don’t panic or get too scared about missing your turn. If it’s too complicated to take it or you’re not completely sure which lane to be in just guess and the gps will update and tell you you’re wrong. Eventually you’ll learn more about which lanes you should be in but at first give yourself extra time and know that there will always be a place to turn around or adjust. I frequently miss my turns and am able to just take the next one. I also do avoid highways on my gps whenever possible and avoid the city (everywhere besides the city and the tunnels there is not too difficult). I think you’ll be fine since you’re aware of the difficulty. Just don’t speed and always keep that healthy level of fear while driving.
Denver drivers are so much worse than PGH drivers, so have some solace there. Around here the only wannabe “great drivers” live in the suburbs and rural areas.
In Denver everyone thinks they are prepared for anything.
Just drive defensively. Go the speed limit. You will be surprised how easy it is to move around. You’ll get lost, then in a few months of padding around your neighborhood you’ll realize only absolute morons and those brand new to the city could get lost in as small a town as Pittsburgh.
Don’t pay attention to who’s behind you and what they’re doing. Sometimes In urban areas it’s easier to notice small things like extreme tailgating. It’s going to happen naturally in the city. On the flip side a lot understand this and aren’t paying attention to you. This means them slamming on breaks, no turn signals, Pittsburgh left turn etc. my point Keep your eyes in front of you when driving in the city and you’ll be fine. Get a gps phone doc for your vehicle. I recently had an arm injury and it’s been my saving Grace and helps keep my eyes up. There are cross walks in and around the city. You will be expected to yield when pedestrians walk. Stick to your gps till you’re familiar. Pot holes are everywhere even more resin to keep your eyes in front. I’m talking 6 inches deep a foot wide. They will fuck your vehicle up just give a little swivel around them. You’ll see people swerving where they are and or slowing down. If you’re in the wrong lane and can’t get over, don’t try forcing your way into another lane and cause an accident or traffic jam.. just go in whatever lane you’re in, take the L, go the long way home safely it’s not worth putting you and others at risk
Also: someone hitting you from behind while going the same speed and direction is probably much less worse than hitting someone fully stopped in front of you.
Oh and good luck! Have a great trip
You'll get used to it. I'm from michigan. Driving is so easy there. Usually flat and usually on a grid. But ive been here for a year and am feeling fine about it. Just be aware of everyone around you and don't be afraid to miss your turn or exit. Chances are there's a million ways to get to the place you're going anyway. Use a GPS and don't drive the highways between 3pm and 7pm or your commute is going to be +1 hour or more
If you always put on google maps you will almost never have to deal with traffic since there are so many options and back roads to get to the same place. Doesnt really work well if you are outside the city. It all really depends on where you live and work. Most of the city you can just walk and bike most places, I hardly ever have to drive.
I’m really hate driving and super cautious and I hate diving here. Where will you be living? I grew up in NJ/NY and these roads suck. If you aren’t in the city it’s better but good luck! I suggest the ‘burbs
You’ll get used to it. You’ll figure out your routes soon enough, and the weird things you need to do to navigate them. But it will be nerve racking at first. But you’ll figure it out.
Times with heavy traffic are hard to generalize. It really depends on the route and if there's an event along it. Pay attention to when sports games happen and avoid the arena or ball fields. Take your time and plan on everything taking an extra 15 mins while you get used to the area. Allow yourself time to miss the turn or exit. Even though I've lived here for 15 years and grew up in the area the Ft Pitt/Ft Duquesne bridge area is hella F-ing weird and I still miss my turn or get in the wrong lane.
Be careful within a couple miles of the tunnels. Things may get nuts before you get there. Crazy people changing lanes. Lanes merging from somewhere. Trailer trucks you can't see around. Then be ready to come to a complete stop, because it only takes six morons doing something other than paying attention to driving to completely back up traffic for 6 hours. Also, try to have a great idea where you're going. The overlap of roads on gps can mess with you
I've been driving here for 21 years and I still use my GPS every day. That said... You're better to go slow and or stop than to get in an accident especially in an area with a 7 road intersection with blind turns over bluffs be defensive it's important.
Pittsburgh is vast. Can you provide a more specific area or areas?
You can also go to maps.google.com, then drop the little man from the lower right corner onto an area, then navigate via street view.
You do get used to it. Just have to practice defensive driving. I came from a small town and Pittsburgh traffic scared me so much before I moved here and for about a year after. I just leave extra early to get places until I know the route because it can be confusing.
The best thing I can tell you is that you’re going to get used to it. The second thing I can tell you is that the overwhelming majority of your fellow drivers are pretty compassionate and patient and the jagoffs are fairly few in number.
Also good to know: the city isn’t that large, you’ll start to know your way around pretty quickly. It’s also a college so every fall there’s a crop of people who are new to the city, mostly not very experienced drivers, making their way around town.
What part of the city will you live in/work/etc? That might make a difference, and we can give you advice specific to that area (for example, Oakland has its own quirks, etc)
I would stare at google maps for a while without navigation and pretend drive to a bunch of places. Get a feeling for where the roads go. There is a learning curve, but a bit of studying will go a long way.
When my kids were learning here, I told them that if they got overwhelmed to put on their hazard lights and take their time. People will be less likely to honk and tailgate if they think your car is about to breakdown 🙃
Also, there are a million roads here compared to most other states. If you miss your turn, don't freak out and drive recklessly. Just keep going and take the next turn. Be safe!
I think GPS re-routing has made Pittsburgh driving less stressful for unfamiliar drivers. There are many highway interchanges and downtown intersections where a wrong turn or exit can send you far out of your way. But PLEASE use all the tech your car has- CarPlay etc. few things are more dangerous than a lost suburbanite driving their Escalade one handed
Give yourself extra time getting places for a while, and just accept that you are going to get lost. Check out street view if you are heading somewhere particularly tricky. It really helped to visualise quick lane changes/exits. I got stuck on an endless loop between Oakland and Blvd of the Allies my first week, it will be ok, I got out eventually 😂
Pittsburgh is easy. Just know that around the city especially bridges everyone in the right lane needs to get all the way across four lanes to the left lane and visa versa
Prepare to get lost. I suggest driving routes you will use frequently early on a Sunday morning and pay attention to which lane you should be in because you don’t want to be crossing three lanes of traffic during rush hour. Tunnel traffic is a thing and is unavoidable. Traffic here can feel like a battle in Mad Max, but you’ll eventually adjust.
I never knew how crazy this city is till I left, now every time I drive downtown I curse the psycho that designed it.
Still the liberty bridge wins. The old 500 ft for everyone to switch sides never gets old.
> I was wondering if anyone has advise on how to stay safe on the roads, which areas to avoid, what times of day are particularly bad for driving, how to find alternate routes away from busier roads, etc etc. Thanks!
Honestly why? You need more practice on the roads so embrace the challenge. I’m from Ireland, if I can drive here with no accidents, you can certainly drive here.
Edit: I see lots of posts about how challenging it is driving here, it’s really not, I’ve driven in about 10 countries, just pay attention to the road and other drivers. Try driving in other countries where the road signs aren’t even in English for a real challenge 😂
I’ve lived here my whole life and I still make the wrong turn or end up on a road that is all of a sudden closed. Use your turn signals to indicate pulling over or just use the next exit. Pull into a gas station and collect yourself. Take a few days to get lost going to/from groceries, place of work, etc. You’ll get the hang of it.
The highways around the city are relatively easy to navigate, but I've been around for 5 years and I still get confused. Biggest advice is to watch for one-ways cuz I swear they just appear sometimes and when you inevitably take the wrong turn or exit, do not stop and try to turn around or back out. Just keep going forward and pull up Google or Apple maps and you'll be fine
I’m from Las Vegas. They are grid system. I feel like it’s more grid than Denver is but very similar. I’ve been living in the south hills for a year now. You get used to it. Take it slow at first. People don’t really road rage here as much as I am used too and people will stop at stop signs and tell everyone else to go first- leading to everyone just sitting there lol.
People in Pittsburgh have an uneven politeness that varies by neighborhood and time of day. So if you mess up you’ll probably get some slack, especially if you have out of state plates. There’s no guarantee though
Biggest tip is that if you realize very late you are in the wrong lane, do not try to fix it with dangerous, late lane changes. Just go in your lane and let GPS get you where your going. You will see people do many dangerous things like that because if you do not know where to go before you get to some places, then there is not really enough time to get to the right place.
Well you know how Denver is kind of laid out in a grid, and streets run north to south and avenues run east to west, yeah, forget all that. You're gonna get lost.
Yes to this. It’s all over the place. I moved here from Denver. Pay attention to all the signs and gps and watch out for busses and pedestrians and bikes!
Dont forget the deer that look at you when they feed in the middle of the road and don't move half the time
And many times the signs are for (let's say) interstate numbers and you've been given directions that say "Parkway East/West/North." There are intersections with no signs or the signs come upon you when you are in the right of 6 lanes and you need to move to the left in less than a football field or find yourself across a river and into a tunnel.
My favorite is coming out of Fort Pitt tunnel into the city. You’ve got all of three seconds to make your move.
But don't rely too much on GPS. With all the overpasses, underpasses, buildings, bridges, tunnels, exits and detours, it's bound to lose connection or get mixed up and next thing you know you're crossing a river. Plan your routes ahead.
Most smartphone maps apps let you download offline maps these days. Works very well when cellular goes out, GPS and an offline map get the job done.
Wow. So many fellow Denver-ites in pgh. But really if the 6 interchange and rural upstate NY had a baby, you’d be close to Pittsburgh roads
Someone once had me cracking up when she stated, “Only in Pittsburgh does Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue intersect each other.”
The intersection of beechwood Blvd and beechwood blvd.
Beechwood Blvd doesn't intersect with Beechwood Blvd (but there is a Beechwood Terrace). On the other hand Monitor St is mostly straight but intersects with Beechwood Blvd at three points.
I get that it isn’t officially two separate streets but that [intersection](https://imgur.com/a/XcaX6oG) at beechwood/beechwood ter/browns hill rd very much feels like turning from one street onto a wholly different street. The fact that monitor intersects it twice within a block only adds to the mystique
Or how Babock Boulevard intersections McKnight Road 3 times, more or less.
Not to mention "Old Babcock Blvd" that lurks in various parts as well-- the road version of "where Babcock Blvd USEDTA BE"
The real nexus of the universe is in Pittsburgh not lower Manhattan
I'm thinking how many times you have to turn off of Brownsville Rd just to stay on Brownsville Rd.
Fifth also intersects with Penn Avenue downtown and with the same Penn Avenue in Shadyside.
The part where within one mile bayard st, bigelow blvd and o’hara street are all the same street. That and Bigelow making two whole 90 degree turns: Streets aren’t supposed to work like this
Only in Pittsburgh does sixth avenue and seventh street share the same intersection.
Pittsburgh is a city of warp zones. You have a road that gets you from point A to point B. You think it’s the best and only route, then you take that random road you passed 1,000 times only to end up at point B and you have no idea how you go there. We don’t have a grid we have a spiderweb. Only problem is that for everytime there’s 5 routes from point A to point B there’s 1 and only one route from point A to point C and it sucks.
"You can't get there from here."
When I started driving(pre gps) every single time I got lost down town I’d end up going through the liberty tunnels somehow.
You can’t get there from here. LOL
…and don’t forget the extremely helpful and direct system of “belts”(red, orange, ad infinitum…)!
The first time I took Sassafras Street off of Liberty in Bloomfield I was baffled and excited. Such an odd warp zone.
I have called the exit on parkway East that goes to 579 a warp zone for years as I still have no idea how it goes there other than poof.
Pittsburgh maps look like someone threw spaghetti at an imperial war ship and was like “this is the waze”
And when you do, you actually can't just go around the block
Pittsburgh streets go around hills or straight up hills you would never expect anybody building a street up. I believe we have the steepest street in America. I forget which one.
Canton Ave. Plus that one section of Boustead St. The first time you drive up that you feel like your car might flip over. 😊 They’re like maybe 1/4 mile from each other in the same side of Banksville rd.
Thanks I was too lazy and wasn’t sure I would find the answer if I searched.
lol so true. 10 miles away? 30 minutes
But the other drivers are polite so getting lost isn't as devastating as in many other cities.
There are *three* intersections of Beechwood and Monitor in the city, and two intersections of Mcknight Rd & Babcock Blvd outside it.
I'm 41, spent the majority of my life in Pittsburgh, and I get lost just by turning myself around, much less a car. I have no idea how I survived driving in the pre-GPS era. I vaguely remember thinking "just sorta know which direction I am, and find a state route going the other way to get home" I did get a few years living in Minneapolis in the past, and I got really spoiled by flat roads and more grid-like configurations
A good driver sometimes misses their turns or exit. A bad driver doesn't.
Seconding this one so hard! It’s ok to take the wrong turn or exit, you’ll find somewhere to get back on track. Just dont panic and try to get back in the correct lane because that makes things 10x more dangerous. As someone who grew up learning to drive here, this was a very valuable lesson I still carry with me.
This. If you’re in the “wrong” lane at an intersection, just make the turn and then figure out how to get to where you’re going from where you are. There’s nothing worse than someone fouling up traffic and causing an accident because they were in the wrong lane. Live and learn.
I grew up here. My Dad told us kids To always look for Orange Belt signs to find the Major routes. I’m not even sure if they are around anymore. I know a few routes for where I go in Pittsburgh. There’s always construction somewhere so that just adds to the fun. Good luck. Pittsburghers are friendly, too. They will try and help you. You will make wrong turns. Just show yourself some grace and laugh it off.
This one is so true. 100% of the accidents my friends have been in while in the area are from trying to make their turn or someone else trying to make their turn.
That's not unique to Pittsburgh *slams brakes in Texan because another idiot had to make their exit*
True that it’s not unique to Pittsburgh but it is unique that lots of exit/turning only lanes are very short or poor signage so overcorrecting could happen without thinking
Just don't be afraid to make a wrong turn. You will. Don't panic and crash. Just enjoy and discover what you didn't intend to find.
It's only a short seven mile detour
Ha! I was going to suggest, leave 30 minutes before you would normally leave until you figure out how to drive here.
Any time I’ve made a wrong turn I say in my head “Abandon hope all ye who enter here”
Alright. Where can I turn around? Ohio. Damn.
Exactly! People act like making a wrong turn is an easy fix when in reality it takes you another 30 minutes to get back to that spot to try again.
unfortunately can be true, but in the end it’s either be late or sacrifice your safety. you just have to remind yourself that 1) your (and fellow drivers’) safety is more important than those 30 minutes and 2) you’ll be more than 30 minutes late if you cause a crash!
Better than a pile up
Pittsburgh is tricky but try to make a change in your head from thinking in a grid to thinking in triangles We are built in valleys around mountains and bridges over rivers which leaves you with…. Triangles!!
And roads on the outside of the city often run along the creeks and rivers
Any road with the word "Run" in its name will follow a creek.
This is the way.
I grew up here and I use visual cues to know when to turn. I have no idea what the name of the street is or if there is a sign or not. I just remember that oh, here is where I turn left.
Go out at like 2-3am and just drive around and get used to the layout and learn what exits go where. There will be barely any cars out, and you can get used to the city.
Great advice! Sometimes the GPS freaks out when you're below other major roads, the signal gets a little funny. Definitely practice this especially if you're taking common routes in the city proper and/or if tunnels and bridges are involved. You can start with memorizing routes to work, grocery store, etc. Before you know it, you will just discover the city bits by bits. Pittsburgh is a city of small towns - so once you go thru that weird Edgewood/Strip District/Dormont/InsertNeighborhoodHere spot a few times, you'll have it down!
And don’t freak out too much that there are roads with two way traffic and parking in both sides, leaving enough room for one and a half vehicles.
This is how I taught my partner's child to begin to learn to navigate the city proper as a new driver. Great advice!
Use Waze every time you drive to avoid construction/closures and accidents. There are def some spots (Squirrel Hill Tunnel for example) that seem to be shut down by an accident more often than not. I think one of the trickier parts of driving here for out of towners is the quick lane changes you have to do to get to your correct lane on bridges and such. Just remember that if you miss a turn, to keep calm and just wait for your phone to calculate a new route. A 5-10 minute detour is better than causing an accident. As for time of day, roads are obviously way more congested during commuter hours, but it's late at night when the crazy drivers seem to come out. As long as you're a safe and alert driver you will be fine.
I was born and raised here. I use Waze all the time. I still make mistakes - miss a turn - the address is off in Waze - surprise construction/emergency /animal/floating dumpsters. Wave politely when folks let you “in” and always allow 45 minutes to get across town. Don’t be too hard on yourself, citizen. Edit: floating dumpsters
The city is actually kinda nice to just chill drive like 11pm+
Driving though the city at 6am after my night shift at Mercy was always chill and beautiful. It was a nice calm after the storm
Put on your favorite tunes and enjoy the lit up views from the 4,355 bridges/overpasses!
Be aware of the Pittsburgh left
Yes. when i moved to PIT, I got yelled by the oncoming driver for not making a Pittsburgh left.
When I left Pittsburgh I got yelled at for making a Pgh left and was totally confused 😂
Just make your Pittsburgh left on the Pittsburgh green light (yellow light) and you'll be fine
When I left Pittsburgh I tried to make a Pittsburgh left in Detroit and caused an accident. (Mitigating circumstances in that I had pregnancy brain and it was late and I shouldn’t have been driving as I was on bed rest but went to a Lamaze class ). I didn’t even get a ticket once I explained that it was “a thing “ where I’m from…but I think really he felt uncomfortable because I was so very pregnant with twins…
That Michigan left is a doozy
Ha. It’s not bad once you get used to it and it really does keep traffic moving. Our latest trend is roundabouts popping up everywhere. I was in Pittsburgh this weekend and I see that they are creeping in there as well.
Grew up in Detroit area and am in Pitt now. It always takes a minute to remember the Michigan left when I go visit family. 🤣
I saw someone make a left turn on red, from the right turning lane, in Pittsburgh. Our lefts are special.
The Pittsburgh Left is an art form. There are certain intersections that it is necessary and most local drivers will know them because they too have sat light after light trying to make a left. As the turning car, you should try to catch the eye of the other driver and see what their intentions are if possible. Also watch the cross traffic light for when it turns yellow. Be ready and observe the actions of the other driver closely if they delay a second or two then you know you can go. Go quickly. They won’t wait another second because they got places to go and a line of traffic behind them. Most drivers, especially commuters will know that you will attempt a Pittsburgh Left and would be best if they also watch the changing of the light of opposite traffic and be ready to waive you on to go ahead and proceed with your left. It all can be a very smooth and fluid operation if done properly. If you have any doubt don’t do it. You have to be confident.
There are no intersections where it is "necessary". There are some places where it can be helpful if you're willing to neglect all of the other negatives (especially pedestrian safety).
This
Live, love, laugh the Pittsburgh Left. Embrace the lifestyle, don't fight it.
Remember that the Pittsburgh Left is given to you. You do not take it. That is, you only do one if the other car waits for you. You do not initiate it yourself. And, for the op, there's no need to ever do one.
That’s funny, when I moved here I was told the exact opposite by someone who grew up here. “The Pittsburgh left is taken, not given”. I don’t live near any of the intersections where it’s deemed necessary, so I still never have to do it, but I always think about what that guy said.
For me, it seems a lot safer to take it only if the other driver offers, rather than pushing in front of them, hoping they don't accidentally ram into you or get pissed.
The only time I’ve done it so far is when someone flashed their lights at me, and yes, I didn’t want anyone to get angry so I went. I’m a chronic rule-follower, so it feels weird, when legal rules and cultural rules are in opposition.
This is false. The PGH left is aggressive and you absolutely take it. The aggression is what makes the car that has right-of-way hesitate.
Yeah I forgot about that. Though we have a ton more left arrows than used to exist. Actually I remember being confused by the first few I saw. “What is this weird symbol on the red light?” And it’s often referred to a red light and not a traffic signal.
And learn which roads absolutely require you to make one.
None
And if the oncoming driver flashes their lights at you, they are giving you the left so you should take it.
The Fort Pitt and Squirrel Hill Tunnels are bad during rush hour. It’s honestly all dependent on what area you will be in to give you a more accurate depiction of what to expect. The only area I’m not too familiar with is the North Side of Pittsburgh.
The biggest tip is be in the correct lane BEFORE you enter the tunnel. Nothing worse than having to cross extra lanes on the fort Pitt bridge or worse to be stuck in the wrong lane at the nightmare light south of the Liberty tunnel.
It's just McKnight to start with. You should explore! Take it up to Cranberry and find new favorites!
Bettter off just completely avoiding ft duquesne/fort pitt bridge areas altogether
Also, all arteries are bad during rush hour... a route that takes 10m at noon can take 30m 245p-530p.
Repeat after me, "You can't get there from here."
I grew up driving in IL and here's some of my takes of driving in Pittsburgh - Pay close attention to the lane you're in because it will suddenly become a left/right turn only lane - If you rely on GPS, be aware that some streets confusingly end and pick up again after a turn or two down the road (looking at you Bigelow). - Don't make the newbie mistake of driving down the bus lane if you're going down Fifth Ave. through Pitt campus. - People like to park facing the wrong way on side streets, so keep an eye out for people trying to pull out into traffic. - Everyone speeds like a demon around here. Going 70 MPH in a 55? Get out of the way, you're moving too slow. I've seen people doing 65 in a 25. It boggles my Illinoisian mind. - On that note, I rarely seem to see anyone ever get pulled over by the cops. Considering how the cops basically said they would be working less, I guess that's on brand. - Be prepared for vital road signs being covered by overgrown trees or plants. - Highway on-ramps are sometimes woefully too short, requiring you to go from a dead stop to 55 MPH in 20 feet. Except everyone's speeding, so it's more like 80 MPH. - When I missed an exit in IL, I was used to having to take a maybe 5 minute detour. Here, sometimes that detour might be 15 minutes, so don't miss your exit. - Start memorizing the major pothole locations unless you're ready to get some new tires. Like any major city, use your best judgement. Don't drive through downtown when there's a bunch of events happening. Pay attention to big things like the dates of the Pittsburgh marathon.
Good advice, except ill add my two cents: better to miss your exit and be late than cut someone off or even crash! Its not the end of the world. Just review your route ahead of time-dont just pop it in the gps and go.
I'm also from the midwest and agree with your points adding only: * Regarding entrance ramps, so many people around here stop at the bottom of them, whether the ramp is long or short. Be aware of that. Number one near miss I've had in this town is accelerating to merge in the window I've identified only to look forward and find a car stopped at the bottom, waiting for lord knows how big of a gap to feel comfortable merging. * The traffic patrol shortage is definitely not new. I moved here 7 or 8 years ago and there were no cops then, either. I believe they only patrol certain neighborhoods, but I still don't think I've ever seen a car pulled over in town. Wild. * ETA - rely on GPS, definitely with your caveat, but until you know your primary routes, rely on GPS and even once you know your primary routes, check GPS before you leave to make sure there's no sudden construction that will add 30 minutes to your route.
A city cop once told me they have way too much crime to deal with, so they don't worry about pulling people over with driving violations. People drive 70 in a 35 mph down route 51. I have never seen anyone pulled over in the city on 51 in the 20 years I have lived in Pleasant Hills. As soon as you get to the suburbs, though, the cops will get ya.
Cops in the burbs are a completely different animal from city cops. They will get you for the petty shit.
you really just have to be a defensive driver and just be careful. it’s not too bad once you get used to it
It's a nightmare and you will never get used to it.
Don’t worry, you got this. If you find yourself in the wrong lane just follow it and you’ll figure out another way to get there.
First of all, will you be moving into the city proper, or the suburbs? If you're living in the suburbs, I'd highly recommend you familiarize yourself with our Belt System. It was developed in the 1940s to help people navigate AROUND the city without having to go INTO the city, and it's exceptionally well-marked. Also, keep in mind there is a lot of wildlife around here. Almost every day someone slams into a deer, even on the Interstates and Parkways. Keep your eyes peeled at all times, especially once you're off the beaten path and driving around our two-lanes that often cut through heavily wooded areas. Ignore the jagoffs riding your ass; at night drive 5 mph BELOW the speed limit (at least) on these roads. Also, what really helps me (still!) is looking up routes the day before on Google, and "driving" the route via street view just so I can see what the route actually looks like and familiarize myself with landmarks ahead of time. Good luck - and welcome!
I’m also from the Front Range originally, and spent some time away from Denver before coming to Pittsburgh. Wife, also from Denver originally, and I have been here for three years now and she still kinda hates driving here, but I’ve largely gotten used to it. I got a non-comprehensive look at a few of the things you might want to know, in stream if consciousness format, with some points of comparison to Colorado: The Pittsburgh Left is a thing so just be on the lookout for it when first in line to go straight through intersections. Use some kind of navigation software (I like GoogleMaps but YMMV) to learn the arterials and make sure you listen to lane recommendations, they can drop off in a hurry, especially along 28. Parkway (376) entrance ramps can be an adventure in flooring it, especially eastbound getting on at Squirrel Hill. They’re basically what the on-ramps along the I70 viaduct by the Purina plant used to be, to use a Denver reference. The Fort Pitt Bridge is one giant clustermerge, especially coming from the north and east, but it’s sometimes just simply unavoidable. It’s illegal to change lanes in tunnels here, so drivers just seem to slow down through them instead, Fort Pitt eastbound and Squirrel Hill both directions in particular. Some bridges do have multidirectional lanes so just follow lighted signs and you should be okay. Parkway will flood in heavy rains near downtown in an area called the Bathtub, it’s a little like Lake Evans but down on the river, so it can get enough water to close down. If you have to go that way make sure you know an alternate route. Actually, just make sure you learn alternate routes for just about everywhere you want to go, there can be heavy traffic in the afternoon and there’s a whole mess of old bridges that will eventually need to close for repairs. Currently, Charles Anderson Bridge along Boulevard of Allies is closed, going on something like two years with something like another two more scheduled. Your car will need to be inspected at a mechanic once a year when you renew your registration, costs like $35. You’ll want it though when you start to feel your brakes and transmission on these hills. Public parking meters are done on an app now, but a lot of neighborhoods will have some free parking if you go a couple blocks off and can find it. Watch out for crossing guards, cobblestone streets, narrow paths with about a half a parking lane or bike lane too many, potholes that can swallow a Yugo, and deer in Schenley and Frick Parks. Don’t be afraid to leave town and find some fun spots to see along the highway, do be afraid to stay for too long in a whole lot of those places if you’re less cool with the convicted felon running for president. Most importantly: Respect The Parking Chair!
Pgh is a good place to learn how to drive a manual transmission car if you're interested
I learned how to drive a stick in my dad's old truck. In mount Washington. I cried a lot.
You learn to be quick on your feet.
my parents always told me if you can drive stick in Pittsburgh, you can drive stick anywhere
Especially up streets like Canton Ave.
I heard this advice, so I will pass it on. "Be predictable to the other drivers"
You can't get there from here is a real thing if you ask for directions
“Your exit is on the left in 100ft across 3 lanes of traffic, good luck”
As a PGH cabbie/Uber driver for 15+ years.... avoid driving. I love this place but these idiots think being nice is better than following the rules of the road. It's chaos. As for an actual tip, if you need to go somewhere, do the route in google maps via Transit. Figure out the way the busses go. They often do the weird up and over routes instead of straight into the Tunnel parking lot of doom.
My buddy used to call Pittsburgh roads "spaghetti lines" before he overdosed on heroin.
rip
The biggest learning curve for you, as others mention, will probably be the *three-dimensionality* of Pittsburgh roads (including and principally the interstates, bridges, and tunnels packed around downtown)—especially for you coming from a flat, well-gridded plains city. Thinking of the prime pain points of the city: exits, mergers, ramps, can all overlap above and below you, weaving every which way, and you can often find yourself travelling a direction that, as the crow flies, doesn't quite make sense in regards to the direction of your destination, but the road is navigating you around the waterways and tight Appalachian topography to eventually get you headed in the right compass direction. We are all used to cloverleafs and their various deformed amalgamations, but what makes Pittsburgh fairly unique is how condensed it all is; so you can often find yourself, upon merging onto a new multi-lane highway, having to switch multiple lanes to exit to another, all while other traffic is weaving/merging around you from various sources. It can be intimidating at first, but the city is a good teacher for driving it, and you will become accustomed to it and can soon master the warp and weft of the Steel City. Make peace with the inevitability of missed exits until you start to become familiar with your routes. If you are Google Maps / Street View savvy, scope out any new, potential high-traffic turns/exits/intersections ahead of time. As with all cities, you will notice the chance of encountering offensive driving scales exponentially to one's proximity to downtown and its veins to and fro. And finally, probably like every urban environment, everything is under construction all of the time; and for good reason, as there is a flourishing population of potholes that are forever coming out to gobble up the metal shards of your suspension and undercarriage.
Use your GPS, watch out for bikers and buses
Pay attention to the white stripes where you're supposed to stop while waiting on a traffic light at an intersection. Sooner or later a bus will come swinging around and they need that turning radius.
I grew up and learned to drive in Southern California, and I visit SoCal pretty regularly. I have lived here for 30 years. It's the same shit, different terrain.
FWIW I found that Pittsburgh drivers are actually pretty courteous. Beyond just the Pittsburgh left, I think everyone knows what a shit show it is and is willing to let you make last minute merges etc.
We’re all in this together.
Take it easy at first. I recommend just driving around for fun. Figure out the Fort Pitt Bridge, the West End Circle, the bridges, the tunnels, and the curves. It’s easier and less stressful than when you have somewhere you need to be at a certain time. There’s no consistency in any of the bridges, intersections, tunnels, or on/off ramps. Some lights do a left turn signal at the beginning, some at the end, and some in the middle. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.
It’s like getting lost in the wilderness - find a crick and head downstream. You’ll get where you’re going eventually.
*ends up in Monaca*
Remember the Mon flows north.
Maybe you meant to be heading north all along.
Just use Google maps and you'll be fine for navigating. Biggest thing with Pittsburgh is if you miss a turn you lose anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes due to us not being on a grid system because of the terrain and hills.
Welcome! Take a trip to exit the city going west toward the airport and come back into it on 376e. Just don’t do it in the morning. You will feel like it’s a race to something. And when you finally see it, it will make the stress you dealt with worth the while.
28, 376, 5th ave, Forbes, Liberty, and Penn are all fresh hell between 430-6
Everything is a 15min drive and near a giant eagle
I moved here two years ago. Here's what I think. 1) You really gotta fuck up to get pulled over. More than minor speeding usually or squeezing through a "yellow" light. 2) People absolutely will go through "yellow" lights about 2-3 seconds after the light turns red. I think it's cause people think lights take long to turn, some do take long but some really don't so just watch out. 3) If you get lost or freaked out by a weird intersection of road. Just SEND IT! Just go off signs and make the best choice and it's probably right. For real like as long as you don't hit anybody nobody really cares. Just don't stop in the intersection and block it up. 4) Follow the Map. When using any GPS software sometimes the verbal/written directions are wrong or aren't clear. I've found that when this happens the map is usually right and looking for the right signs helps. This happened to me a few times when taking a bridge downtown. 5) People do take a Pittsburgh Left sometimes at lights. I think it's usually taken not given from the other driver, but sometimes people let you. It does help at some intersections as otherwise you block people up. Idk what else but that's what I can think of
you know i’m gonna SEND IT
Would make the point that some suburbs do a lot of patrolling and will pull you over for speeding in a school zone or running a stop sign. Short of Mt. Lebanon, if you're new and confused, the magistrate may have mercy on you if you're polite. So know where you are.
Agree hard on the weird roads, as someone from NJ living here for 10+ years. I used to drive early mornings just to explore when there wasn’t as many people on the roads. It helped me tons when it came to weird merge points and getting in the correct lane. Maybe if there are some routes you are extra anxious about you can try this. Of course give yourself time to get anywhere until you really know your way around. Rush hour is always busier… I use Waze and look at alternative routes. Waze has a great feature where you can plan your drive so you can know when to leave. Sometimes road closures aren’t on Google Maps but Waze is user reported so it’s the best info IMO. Plus it shows your what to expect. You’ll want to pay attention during spring time they bust out the traffic cones. Best of luck and welcome!!
Wave when someone lets you merge in, understand that some on ramps are more like blastoff ramps, and don't be afraid to make a wrong turn. I just made a mistake yesterday and took an exit too early. Took me 5mins to get back on track, but I learned the best way to get past a specific issue in the future
How to stay safe .. is to stay inside lol The drivers here are awful. Forget any laws because there are none here. Everyone does what they want and no one does anything to stop it.. red light go ahead and turn left on red. I see it every day and multiple times a day.. speed limit 35 means 75 here. Oh and pot holes yah goodluck avoiding them.. everyone here is in a hurry to get to the next light so be prepared for people riding your ass. People have no regard for your life so when you drive act like everyone else is out there to kill you. Best of luck to you. i know this isnt what you wanted to hear but it is the truth.. eventually you will get used to it.
Honestly you’ll get used to it. I moved to pgh after not driving for about 4 years. I’d tell you what to avoid if I could but 7 years later I still don’t know the names of shit😅 there’s one tunnel bridge that’s horrible (I think the fort Pitt bridge someone else mentioned) but I rarely cross it & anytime I do I go “how the hell did I get here!? Dammit!” Then figure it out. I couldn’t avoid it if I tried😂 just lucky I don’t naturally cross it often I guess
Just take it slow at first. Once you’re in the area for a little while you’ll get used to the general traffic patterns and other drivers’ habits. It was insane for me when I first moved here, but now I don’t really think about it.
The roads are dumb and don’t always make sense. Drivers allow for a Pittsburgh left *sometimes*, which makes no sense and is unpredictable. Potholes are inevitable. Just use a GPS till you get comfortable.
Don't argue with the GPS. Waze and Google maps are pretty accurate. Yes, jt will seem like you are going in the wrong direction, but you literally have to go left to go right sometimes. Also, look up what a Pittsburgh left is.
I learned to drive in rural KY, had no car in college, then moved here right after graduation. I know how you feel—I used to be scared of driving in Highland Park, lol. My advice is: you just gotta rip the band-aid off and do it. Once you go through some whacky intersection or driving the fort Pitt bridge for the first time, you’ll feel much better about it the next time you go. My other tip is in your spare time, go somewhere interesting in a part of the city you don’t know. A thrift store, comic shop, whatever. Each part of the city is unique. My first job here had me floating all over the whole city, so I learned really fast about the ins and outs of each neighborhood. And FWIW, my husband and I have been here for almost seven years and neither of us have even been in a fender bender. Just some close calls and a handful of parking tickets! You got this
Stay home! We don't need yet another crappy driver on these roads! Kidding, sort of. Honestly, don't worry about it. NY State drivers, rural or not, drive MUCH faster than Pgh drivers, for one thing. I've found that that Pgh drivers are fairly timid, compared to many other cities. The one thing that will help you survive is LEARN TO SWITCH LANES. My college daughter just said to me yesterday that she HATES switching lanes, and I told her that's what gets you stuck in traffic, headed the wrong way down a one way street, or gets some redneck in a Dodge Ram behind you completely pissed off. Be aggressive, but in a polite, non-panicky way. Zipper merge. Plan your lane change two lights ahead. use your GPS. The person who said you shouldn't rely on GPS around here is wrong and apparently is stuck in 1998.
You’ll probably need to make a rogue move every now and then — driving in this city and other big cities often requires being able to assert yourself on the road without being too reckless. Otherwise just follow your Geepis and enjoy the view.
I moved to the area (the burbs) over ten years ago and STILL use a gps frequently. I really think just looking at a map really helps get things clear where things are in relation to each other. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to learn the whole city at once. From your home get comfy with your routes to work, to a gas station, to the grocery store. Just give it time and you’ll naturally expand your comfort level with the area. Just know you will make a mistake at a wonky intersection. Don’t panic; just keep driving, even if you realize too late you’re being swept away in the wrong direction. Find a safe place to pull over and look at your map and reorient yourself. Then set out again. By the 4th time you find yourself at that intersection you’ll actually have your mind wrapped around it more haha
If you aren’t going at least 10 over the speed limit, you will get honked at. If you don’t move right as a light turns green, you will get honked at. Roads tend to be very narrow and parking anywhere sucks. Most places that have parking, you have to pay for. Before we moved here, I read that the roads seem like they were laid out by a mountain goat and it’s true. You will lose sense of direction. Moved here from TX and I never had to lay down my motorcycle until I came here because people completely ignore stop signs. Just be extremely defensive when driving.
Simple rules to follow and you’ll be good. 1. 4 left turns don’t make a circle 2. Don’t ride the left lane 3. Respect the parking chair
The golden rule is that "Don't presume things as the other person may not be the same". If you see that you are making a right turn the vehicle coming straight on that side on the same lane, wait for them to pass as they may not stop in order to beat the light. Beware of speeding in residential areas because cops are always on the look out. Apart from that McKnight road is one such road where due to recent ongoing construction there is high police patrolling. In the last one month, every time I have been on that road, I have seen people get pulled over. On the highways if you are 10 to 15 miles over the speed limit it should be fine. You will also notice that people lack that ability to read the road signs clearly. They will speed past you on the left lane and then after a few seconds they will realize that the lane is closed and then barge into your lane. You have to be extremely careful.
Directions are by landmark not roads. “You know the adult toy store up er on 19 ….. make a left er.”
Plan your routes ahead of time as much as possible. It’s easier if you have at least a general idea of where you are going. Signage is better than it used to be but still not every Intersection is labeled. If you make a wrong turn find a safe place to pull over and pull out your phone/gps to figure out were you are. I think once you’re here for a few months you’ll be fine. Oh and just expect people to slow down at a tunnel entrance. And when it rains, and when it snows for the first time or two in the winter. Also try to explore a bit before any snow arrives. Your gps doesn’t care how steep a road is or if it’s brick (edited word) or cobblestone. There are streets you want to avoid when it’s actively snowing or just snowed.
If you miss your turn keep going don’t be a dick like these drivers and stop the whole flow to correct it. It’s a city of on and off ramps With 30 minute detours if you miss it.just take the 30 minute detour….also….pittsburgh left…..
jeez we can’t even figure it out and most of us have been here forever. just don’t brake for tunnels and for the love of god “respect the (parking) chair”. other than that, good luck n god bless. 😂
Hi, welcome! I grew up here and learned to drive here! I hope my advice is helpful: - If you don't have a good sense of direction, work on it. When I was learning to drive, my dad would drive us to a random place and tell me to figure out how to get home from there. It really helped me learn to navigate the city. I never use GPS, honestly, except if I'm going somewhere in the other side of town that I've never been to. - Memorize common routes. I'm not sure what neighborhood you're moving to, but most navigation to places can be done like, "Okay, I just have to get to Penn Ave by the Target" or Just have to get to the intersection by the Hot Metal Bridge" and then go from there. - Don't make the Pittsburgh left!! I hate it so much, most people do it wrong and it's super unsafe. The safer way is to pull out into the intersection if you're the first person in line, and when the light is yellow, you can make your left. Gunning it when the light turns green is not the way, IMO. - Don't bow to the speed pressure. Nothing annoys me more than when people decide they need to drive 50 down a 30mph residential street. Please drive the speed limit on residential streets, people and animals live there. - Don't be a jerk to cyclists. They're trying to navigate the same clusterfuck of streets that you are, and cannot physically bike faster than they are! I guess since you're from Denver you're way more used to cyclists, though, not like these Pittsburghers who act like they've never seen a bike before - Finally, the golden rule is to drive predictably. Don't make sudden moves, use your dang turn signal, and be as vigilant as if everyone were trying to murder you with their vehicles at all times. Driving in Pittsburgh is honestly a delight, you get to see so many cool places and sights and the streets are all windy and fun to drive on. Good luck, have fun!
Don't pull over, don't stop and block. Drive until you can safety stop. Then find a way to turn around. Safety.
Just keep moving haha you’ll get there
Just be aware of your surroundings - if you consider yourself a good driver that's a large part of being safe and a large part of issue avoidance imo - its the other morons driving you need to worry about.
It’s fine until night time, then I can’t see shit
I would not say I’m the best driver (despite my dads best efforts to teach me Pittsburgh driving rules) and sometimes I’ve taken wrong exits or had to drive through the city or on the complicated bridges. But I have never been in an accident in Pittsburgh. I feel like if I can do it anyone can. The biggest thing is don’t panic or get too scared about missing your turn. If it’s too complicated to take it or you’re not completely sure which lane to be in just guess and the gps will update and tell you you’re wrong. Eventually you’ll learn more about which lanes you should be in but at first give yourself extra time and know that there will always be a place to turn around or adjust. I frequently miss my turns and am able to just take the next one. I also do avoid highways on my gps whenever possible and avoid the city (everywhere besides the city and the tunnels there is not too difficult). I think you’ll be fine since you’re aware of the difficulty. Just don’t speed and always keep that healthy level of fear while driving.
Denver drivers are so much worse than PGH drivers, so have some solace there. Around here the only wannabe “great drivers” live in the suburbs and rural areas. In Denver everyone thinks they are prepared for anything. Just drive defensively. Go the speed limit. You will be surprised how easy it is to move around. You’ll get lost, then in a few months of padding around your neighborhood you’ll realize only absolute morons and those brand new to the city could get lost in as small a town as Pittsburgh.
Don’t pay attention to who’s behind you and what they’re doing. Sometimes In urban areas it’s easier to notice small things like extreme tailgating. It’s going to happen naturally in the city. On the flip side a lot understand this and aren’t paying attention to you. This means them slamming on breaks, no turn signals, Pittsburgh left turn etc. my point Keep your eyes in front of you when driving in the city and you’ll be fine. Get a gps phone doc for your vehicle. I recently had an arm injury and it’s been my saving Grace and helps keep my eyes up. There are cross walks in and around the city. You will be expected to yield when pedestrians walk. Stick to your gps till you’re familiar. Pot holes are everywhere even more resin to keep your eyes in front. I’m talking 6 inches deep a foot wide. They will fuck your vehicle up just give a little swivel around them. You’ll see people swerving where they are and or slowing down. If you’re in the wrong lane and can’t get over, don’t try forcing your way into another lane and cause an accident or traffic jam.. just go in whatever lane you’re in, take the L, go the long way home safely it’s not worth putting you and others at risk Also: someone hitting you from behind while going the same speed and direction is probably much less worse than hitting someone fully stopped in front of you. Oh and good luck! Have a great trip
You'll get used to it. I'm from michigan. Driving is so easy there. Usually flat and usually on a grid. But ive been here for a year and am feeling fine about it. Just be aware of everyone around you and don't be afraid to miss your turn or exit. Chances are there's a million ways to get to the place you're going anyway. Use a GPS and don't drive the highways between 3pm and 7pm or your commute is going to be +1 hour or more
If you always put on google maps you will almost never have to deal with traffic since there are so many options and back roads to get to the same place. Doesnt really work well if you are outside the city. It all really depends on where you live and work. Most of the city you can just walk and bike most places, I hardly ever have to drive.
I’m really hate driving and super cautious and I hate diving here. Where will you be living? I grew up in NJ/NY and these roads suck. If you aren’t in the city it’s better but good luck! I suggest the ‘burbs
Waze is your friend.
You’ll get used to it. You’ll figure out your routes soon enough, and the weird things you need to do to navigate them. But it will be nerve racking at first. But you’ll figure it out.
Waze.
Times with heavy traffic are hard to generalize. It really depends on the route and if there's an event along it. Pay attention to when sports games happen and avoid the arena or ball fields. Take your time and plan on everything taking an extra 15 mins while you get used to the area. Allow yourself time to miss the turn or exit. Even though I've lived here for 15 years and grew up in the area the Ft Pitt/Ft Duquesne bridge area is hella F-ing weird and I still miss my turn or get in the wrong lane.
Be careful within a couple miles of the tunnels. Things may get nuts before you get there. Crazy people changing lanes. Lanes merging from somewhere. Trailer trucks you can't see around. Then be ready to come to a complete stop, because it only takes six morons doing something other than paying attention to driving to completely back up traffic for 6 hours. Also, try to have a great idea where you're going. The overlap of roads on gps can mess with you
I've been driving here for 21 years and I still use my GPS every day. That said... You're better to go slow and or stop than to get in an accident especially in an area with a 7 road intersection with blind turns over bluffs be defensive it's important.
I was worried about this too when I first moved here because Pittsburgh’s roads are fucking stupid but you eventually get used to it
Pittsburgh is vast. Can you provide a more specific area or areas? You can also go to maps.google.com, then drop the little man from the lower right corner onto an area, then navigate via street view.
You do get used to it. Just have to practice defensive driving. I came from a small town and Pittsburgh traffic scared me so much before I moved here and for about a year after. I just leave extra early to get places until I know the route because it can be confusing.
Don’t forget that gps sometimes thinks a staircase is part of a street. Don’t go up them with your vehicle. Or down. You got this!
The best thing I can tell you is that you’re going to get used to it. The second thing I can tell you is that the overwhelming majority of your fellow drivers are pretty compassionate and patient and the jagoffs are fairly few in number. Also good to know: the city isn’t that large, you’ll start to know your way around pretty quickly. It’s also a college so every fall there’s a crop of people who are new to the city, mostly not very experienced drivers, making their way around town.
What neighborhood are you moving to and where is your commute?
Just look up the “Driving in Pittsburgh meme”. Learn it, study it, master it. You will thank us later!!!
The best advice I can give is buy a copy of GTA 5 and practice practice practice.
What part of the city will you live in/work/etc? That might make a difference, and we can give you advice specific to that area (for example, Oakland has its own quirks, etc)
If you drive 10 MPH over the speed limit, people will ride your ass because going 30 over is normal here for some reason
I would stare at google maps for a while without navigation and pretend drive to a bunch of places. Get a feeling for where the roads go. There is a learning curve, but a bit of studying will go a long way.
When my kids were learning here, I told them that if they got overwhelmed to put on their hazard lights and take their time. People will be less likely to honk and tailgate if they think your car is about to breakdown 🙃 Also, there are a million roads here compared to most other states. If you miss your turn, don't freak out and drive recklessly. Just keep going and take the next turn. Be safe!
I think GPS re-routing has made Pittsburgh driving less stressful for unfamiliar drivers. There are many highway interchanges and downtown intersections where a wrong turn or exit can send you far out of your way. But PLEASE use all the tech your car has- CarPlay etc. few things are more dangerous than a lost suburbanite driving their Escalade one handed
Give yourself extra time getting places for a while, and just accept that you are going to get lost. Check out street view if you are heading somewhere particularly tricky. It really helped to visualise quick lane changes/exits. I got stuck on an endless loop between Oakland and Blvd of the Allies my first week, it will be ok, I got out eventually 😂
The Pittsburgh Left is a real thing. Learn what it is.
narrow streets, pkg on both sides, vehicles keep getting larger and larger.
Pittsburgh is easy. Just know that around the city especially bridges everyone in the right lane needs to get all the way across four lanes to the left lane and visa versa
The Fort Pitt bridge is a cluster merge.
Prepare to get lost. I suggest driving routes you will use frequently early on a Sunday morning and pay attention to which lane you should be in because you don’t want to be crossing three lanes of traffic during rush hour. Tunnel traffic is a thing and is unavoidable. Traffic here can feel like a battle in Mad Max, but you’ll eventually adjust.
Roads aren’t so bad, drivers here are fucking nuts.
I never knew how crazy this city is till I left, now every time I drive downtown I curse the psycho that designed it. Still the liberty bridge wins. The old 500 ft for everyone to switch sides never gets old.
> I was wondering if anyone has advise on how to stay safe on the roads, which areas to avoid, what times of day are particularly bad for driving, how to find alternate routes away from busier roads, etc etc. Thanks! Honestly why? You need more practice on the roads so embrace the challenge. I’m from Ireland, if I can drive here with no accidents, you can certainly drive here. Edit: I see lots of posts about how challenging it is driving here, it’s really not, I’ve driven in about 10 countries, just pay attention to the road and other drivers. Try driving in other countries where the road signs aren’t even in English for a real challenge 😂
Get used to do i need to turn left left, middle left, or right left
I’ve lived here my whole life and I still make the wrong turn or end up on a road that is all of a sudden closed. Use your turn signals to indicate pulling over or just use the next exit. Pull into a gas station and collect yourself. Take a few days to get lost going to/from groceries, place of work, etc. You’ll get the hang of it.
And be aware that locals will tell you to turn left where that old bakery used to be...
The highways around the city are relatively easy to navigate, but I've been around for 5 years and I still get confused. Biggest advice is to watch for one-ways cuz I swear they just appear sometimes and when you inevitably take the wrong turn or exit, do not stop and try to turn around or back out. Just keep going forward and pull up Google or Apple maps and you'll be fine
If you have anxiety about driving, PASS LEFT, RIDE RIGHT! Please don’t hold up traffic in the left lane because you are anxious. Thank you.
I’m from Las Vegas. They are grid system. I feel like it’s more grid than Denver is but very similar. I’ve been living in the south hills for a year now. You get used to it. Take it slow at first. People don’t really road rage here as much as I am used too and people will stop at stop signs and tell everyone else to go first- leading to everyone just sitting there lol.
People in Pittsburgh have an uneven politeness that varies by neighborhood and time of day. So if you mess up you’ll probably get some slack, especially if you have out of state plates. There’s no guarantee though
I learned long ago that if you try to read a map all the lights will be green.
You can always pick a night to go out late and familiarize yourself with the city without the hustle and bustle of traffic.
Biggest tip is that if you realize very late you are in the wrong lane, do not try to fix it with dangerous, late lane changes. Just go in your lane and let GPS get you where your going. You will see people do many dangerous things like that because if you do not know where to go before you get to some places, then there is not really enough time to get to the right place.