Best Driving Route Sat. AM from Upper St. Clair to Washington (Pittsburgh: construction, Walmart)

[JWilliams45]

I have a question about the best driving route for a drive I have to take in the south Pittsburgh area. Best to me usually means shortest in time, but it can also mean fewer stops for lights, stop signs, etc., even if it takes somewhat longer. My question comes up because I've never been to this area before.

At 9 AM this coming Saturday I'm driving from South Hills Village in Upper St. Clair down to the Walmart just off I-79 in Washington. Mapping software routes me down Washington Road / US-19 South for the entire 16 miles of the drive.

What I'm wondering is if it makes more sense to dogleg from Short Hills Village over to I-79 South at Bridgeville and take it to the Walmart exit in Washington. Google Maps shows this is half again as long in distance and 5 minutes longer in drive time. (This at 4:30 PM today (Tuesday).) Or, is there another route that you'd recommend?

I'm looking for any advice, suggestions, warnings, knowledge of upcoming road closures, etc. Thanks!

[guy2073]

I would check google when you are ready to leave and do what it says. 19 has more lights that can slow you down but the extra time to get to 79 is not worth it in my opinion.

[USC1986]

I'm a long time USC resident and we go down that way maybe 2-3 times a month. I suggest straight down Rt19; should take maybe 15 -20 minutes.
From my perspective, to go down I-79, you first have to go through that morass at the Bridgeville exit, then get off at the Racetrack Rd exit at the meadows to merge with Rt19. Or, perhaps rake I-79 to the I-70 east exit, then off at Rt19 exit,but that seems like backtracking to me.
There are no especially long traffic lights on Rt19, and once you clear Peters Twp., little traffic till Washington.
I am not aware of any construction on RT19 south.

[JWilliams45]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.