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Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend Is Here |
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Road closures, travel impacts, and tips to help you plan ahead across the city |
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As Pittsburgh wraps up a major stretch of events, the 2026 Pittsburgh Marathon will take place the weekend of Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.
With thousands of runners and visitors expected, residents should plan for significant road closures, detours, and travel delays across the city.
🏃♂️ SATURDAY EVENTS (May 2)
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Pittsburgh 5K – begins at 7:30 AM
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Kids Marathon – begins at 9:30 AM
📍 Impacts:
- Closures focused on Downtown and the North Side
- Most closures begin around 6:30 AM and clear by early afternoon
- Expect temporary detours and limited access near Point State Park, North Shore, and downtown corridors
🏃♀️ SUNDAY – MARATHON DAY (May 3)
This is the main event and will have the most widespread impact.
⛔ Major Closure Window:
- Begins as early as 1:30 AM (setup)
- Most neighborhoods impacted between 5:30 AM – 2:30 PM+
📍 Areas Affected:
- Downtown (largest impact)
- North Side / North Shore
- Strip District
- West End, South Side, Oakland
- Shadyside, East Liberty, Homewood
- Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Highland Park
👉 Expect rolling closures as runners move through neighborhoods.
🚗 IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS
1. Plan Ahead if You Need Your Car
- If you live inside the course, you may not be able to leave for several hours
- Consider parking outside the course area ahead of time
2. Downtown Travel Will Be Restricted
- Some areas will be completely inaccessible by vehicle early Sunday morning
- Certain zones may be impossible to exit until late morning
3. Use Public Transit
- The “T” is FREE in Downtown and the North Shore
- Strongly recommended to avoid road closures
4. Use Key Routes
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Bigelow Blvd is a primary route for getting in/out of Downtown during the race
🏙 NORTH SIDE RESIDENTS
- Expect closures from approximately 6:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- Limited access and detours will be in place around:
- North Shore
- PNC Park area
- Casino routes
⏱ WHAT TO EXPECT OVERALL
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Saturday: Moderate disruption (morning–early afternoon)
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Sunday: Major, citywide disruption
- Most roads reopen gradually by late afternoon Sunday
✅ QUICK CHECKLIST
✔ Move your car Saturday night if needed
✔ Allow extra travel time Sunday morning
✔ Use public transit when possible
✔ Expect delays and plan ahead
The Pittsburgh Marathon is one of our city’s signature events, bringing energy and visitors to our neighborhoods. A little preparation will go a long way in helping you navigate the weekend smoothly.
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