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Pittsburgh is a city known for its many incredibly steep streets, but one stands above them all as the steepest street in the United States: Canton Avenue.
Canton Avenue is located in the Beechview neighborhood, only a couple of miles south of downtown Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, PA. The street is only 600 feet long, but it has an average grade of 30% over its length. There is even one short section that has a grade of 37%.
And, while there are a couple of streets in the western United States with short sections of more than 37%, there are none with an average grade steeper than Canton Avenue. In fact, this is likely the third steepest street in the world (after ones in New Zealand and Wales).
Canton Avenue runs one block from Coast Avenue to Hampshire Avenue. Given the steepness of the road and the fact that there is no flat spot at the bottom of the hill, traffic is only allowed to go one way up the hill (entering from Coast Avenue). That being said, I can’t imagine how crazy you would have to be to even attempt to drive down this road if you were allowed.
Since this is a public road, all you have to do to drive up the road is make your way to the Beechview neighborhood, near the popular Beto’s Pizza and just off of Route 19. The road starts at these coordinates (40.409139, -80.030033) or you can use the address for the house at the bottom of the hill: 829 Coast Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216.
Canton Avenue is the first left after turning onto Coast Avenue from Route 19 and is very close to the highway. This actually surprised me the first time, and the immediate nature of the hill left me with just the tip of my toes on the accelerator. So, before you turn onto the road, make sure you put your foot squarely on the accelerator.
The hill’s steepness is actually somewhat deceiving. In most of the photos in this article, it doesn’t look all that steep. And while, in person, it looks steeper, the full steepness of the hill can’t be appreciated until you are halfway up the hill with your pedal near the floor.
Amazingly, this hill is one of 13 hills in the Dirty Dozen bicycle competition that is held around the city every year, and I love watching videos of bicyclists attempting to make it up this insane hill. Given how difficult it is to simply walk up this road, I’m incredibly impressed by those that were able to pedal a bike to the top.
As you drive up the hill, think about the people who live in the houses along this street and have to drive up it on a regular basis. Fortunately, there is parking for them at the top of the hill, and a somewhat overgrown stairwell for a sidewalk for the entire length of Canton Avenue.
The roadway itself starts as pavement but turns into cobblestones about a third of the way up. My assumption is that this is because the road is too steep to be fully paved, but I don’t have a specific reason why this is the case.
If you visit in the summer months, you may notice foliage growing between the cobblestones along the edge of the road. In the winter, this road is not maintained, and I highly advise avoiding it if there is a chance of snow or ice on the roadway. (Unless you are crazy like the people in this Audi commercial that was filmed here.)
Once at the top of the hill, follow Hampshire Avenue to the right (the only direction you can go). If you want to do the hill again or simply return to the light on Route 19, take the second right onto Alverado Avenue, and then turn right again back onto Coast Avenue.
If you want to get a better look at Canton Avenue, you’ll need to park near the top of the hill as there is nowhere to park or even stop at the bottom of the hill. On a similar note, if you want to switch drivers, make sure to do so either before you drive here or at the top of the hill.
Ultimately, driving up Canton Avenue is a fun little diversion while exploring Pittsburgh, and definitely one of my favorite free things to do in the city. So, the next time you are looking for something fun to do in the city, make sure to check out this unique spot.
Looking for even more things to do in the area? Check out the last wooden block street in Pennsylvania, the Seldom Seen Greenway, and the view from atop Mount Washington.
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