Pittsburgh Commuter Guide: Best Suburbs for Downtown Workers

Looking for the perfect Maronda Homes Community that provides an easier, less stressful commute to Downtown? You’ll want to focus your search on the North or West suburbs of the city. In Pittsburgh, your everyday commute is largely dictated by the tunnels. To keep your sanity (and your podcast queue) under control, the goal is to live either north of the city, where you can bypass the tunnels entirely, or to the west, where multiple back-route options allow you to dodge the heaviest bottlenecks.

We’ve compiled a list of our communities in these areas to help make your dreams of owning a new home while having a simplified daily routine a reality. 

The “Tunnel-Free” North (Best Overall Commute)

The North Hills offers the most predictable commute because I-279 (Parkway North) is the only major artery into Downtown that doesn’t go through a tunnel.

• The Bliss (Franklin Park): This is one of the most premium commuting spots. It’s located right off I-79 and I-279. You can typically reach Downtown in 20–25 minutes without the “bottleneck anxiety” of the south or west tunnels.

• Deerfield Estates (Sewickley): Located near the I-79/I-76 junction. This community is positioned for a 20-minute straight shot down Ohio River Boulevard (Route 65) or I-279.

• Amherst Village (Mars/Cranberry Area): A bit further north (30–35 mins), but popular because you hit the HOV lanes on I-279, which can fly you into the city if you have a passenger.

The West Corridor (Flexible Routes)

Living West is great because if the Fort Pitt Tunnel is backed up, you can often take the “back way” via West End or Route 51.

• Clever Road Estates (McKees Rocks/Robinson): This is statistically one of the closest Maronda communities to Downtown. You’re looking at a 15–20 minute drive. It’s also minutes from the Robinson Town Centre shopping hub.

• Canterbury Woods & Creekside Meadows (Imperial/Noblestown): These are near the I-376 (Parkway West) corridor. While the Parkway can be heavy, you are “pre-tunnel,” meaning you have more exit options to bail if traffic looks bad on Google Maps.

The East & South (Scenic but Slower)

• Oakmont Heights (Plum/Verona): This is about 16 miles from Downtown. The commute usually involves Route 28 (which has been significantly improved) or the PA Turnpike to I-376. Expect 30–40 minutes.

• Pemberley Manor (Venetia): Located in the South Hills. While the “T” (Light Rail) is nearby in neighboring Bethel Park, driving from here involves the Liberty Tunnels. It is a beautiful area, but the commute is often 45+ minutes during peak hours.

Ready to find your dream home and simplify your commute?  Many of these communities are close to selling out – don’t miss your chance to secure your home in one of Pittsburgh’s commuter-friendly suburbs.