For too many of us, the I-376 closure has transformed the daily Pittsburgh commute into an overland expedition. Since provisions are in order, we’ve assembled the podcasts, playlists, and Pittsburgh-set audiobooks that make the miles—and the minutes—go by a little faster. Here’s what to queue up before setting out.
Podcasts
99% Invisible
The design-and-infrastructure podcast from Roman Mars is the thematically perfect companion to the I-376 closure: episode after episode about the hidden engineering that makes cities work.
The Number One Movie in America
Before coming to TABLE, arts and culture editor Sean Collier was already one of Pittsburgh’s best-known film critics. On this long-running podcast, he joins fellow movie experts Kahmeela Adams-Friedson and Robin Hitchcock to revisit movies that once topped the box office. There’s plenty of lively debate and behind-the-scenes trivia, whether they’re dissecting an old-school classic or discovering that nostalgia isn’t always what it used to be.
The Rest Is History
Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook turn everything from the fall of Rome to the Titanic into bingeable, frequently hilarious multi-part series.
SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett surprise each other with celebrity guests, and the result is less an interview show than an hour of friends cracking each other up.
Fiction Audiobooks
Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon
In Chabon’s misadventure-filled novel, Pittsburgh professor, aging writer, and shambolic mess Grady Tripp attempts to juggle a midlife crisis, a weekend writers’ festival, a dead dog, a stolen tuba, and a student who may not be what he seems—all of which might make commuter traffic feel like a minor inconvenience.
Emily, Alone by Stewart O’Nan
In this unsentimental, sharply-observed portrait of aging, O’Nan elevates the shrinking world of octogenarian widow and Pittsburgher Emily Maxwell into an act of quiet defiance. As Emily navigates her twilight years, drives her trusty Subaru, and cares for her demanding dog, she mourns the past while finding an unexpected independence.
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon
A coming-of-age novel steeped in 1980s Pittsburgh, Chabon’s debut follows Art Bechstein as he stumbles through love, friendship, and the uncertainty of early adulthood during one sweltering summer. Equal parts funny and wistful, it’s one of the city’s defining novels.
Fine Young People by Anna Bruno
This Pittsburgh-set campus thriller follows Frankie, a prep school senior who tries to understand a classmate’s suicide and unravel a student’s mysterious death 20 years earlier. Propulsive and page-turning, the novel makes the city feel like another character.
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Claustrophobic and unsettling, this white-knuckle thriller by Pittsburgh author Stage is a psychological throwdown between a chronically ill mother and her mute, manipulative seven-year-old daughter. The suspense builds chapter by chapter, making it the kind of audiobook that can distract you from almost anything—including bumper-to-bumper traffic.
A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
The newest novel from Pittsburgh’s own Marie Benedict—and a Reese’s Book Club pick—follows two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law as they team up to take down mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York.
The Castle of 1,000 Doors by Kenny Gould
This hilarious fantasy adventure from TABLE contributor Kenny Gould is built for the whole family. The story follows a famous athlete from—where else?—Steel City who is falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sentenced to fight through a dungeon with his last choice of weapon: a talking potato.
Nonfiction Audiobooks
An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
This lyrical memoir of growing up in 1950s Point Breeze is reflective, soothing, and full of wonder at the ordinary. Dillard’s prose opens a window into a Pittsburgh—and a childhood—before cellphones, social media, and constant distraction.
A Brief History of Pittsburgh by Daniel Monaghan
Want to know how Pittsburgh became Pittsburgh? Monaghan traces the city’s story from its days as a frontier outpost through the rise of steel, waves of immigration, industrial decline, and modern reinvention. It’s an accessible introduction for newcomers and a satisfying refresher for lifelong Pittsburghers.
Meet You in Hell: Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and the Bitter Partnership That Transformed America by Les Standiford
The dramatic story of Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick reads almost like a novel, chronicling one of the most consequential—and contentious—business partnerships in American history. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Homestead Strike and the forces that transformed Pittsburgh into an industrial powerhouse.
Music
Songs About Pittsburgh
If home is on your mind while you’re crawling across town, Spotify has already done the work for you. Its Songs About Pittsburgh playlist features everyone from Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger to Wiz Khalifa and The Lemonheads, all with songs that celebrate—or are inspired by—the Steel City.
Classical Focus
If you need absolute chill, try Spotify’s beautifully calming classical playlist. It’s a soothing soundtrack for those moments when traffic is moving at anything but highway speed.
Make-Your-Own Drinks for the Drive
A longer commute deserves a better beverage. Make our coffeehouse-style Cinnamon Spice Latte for a morning pick-me-up, or steep one of Triple Moon Alchemy’s restorative herbal teas to de-stress or wind down.
Hungry? Take the Scenic Route
Why settle for another drive-thru when the detour can take you somewhere better? Our I-376 Closure Survival Guide: Where to Eat Along the Detour rounds up the coffee shops, bakeries, and neighborhood restaurants worth pulling over for.
Story by Kenny Gould
Photo From PennDOT
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