The drive from Akron, PA to Whitman, PA covers 72.4 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 76, South Reading Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.2 miles from Akron, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 72.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 34m highway drive covering 72.4 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. The longest continuous stretch is about 39.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 39.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near Colonel Howard Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.8 miles (I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8.6 mi into trip|~14m in|Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP
8
48.8 mi into trip|~58m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
6
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 347B
Toward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue
6
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Akron, PA and Whitman, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.
Patp
8.6 mi in|~14m|via Colonel Howard Boulevard
Philadelphia
48.8 mi in|~58m|via I 76
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
39.4 mi
42m
I 76
18 mi
26m
South Reading Road
6.7 mi
10m
Schuylkill Expressway
3 mi
4m
Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
South State Street
0.5 mi
<1m
North 7th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 39.4 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, PA and Whitman, PA.
1
Start on South 9th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn right onto PA 272
0.3 mi·36 sec·North 7th Street
3
Continue on PA 272
0.5 mi·45 sec·South State Street
4
Continue on PA 272
6.7 mi·10 min·South Reading Road
5
Turn right onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.5 mi·54 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
6
Take the ramp onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.3 mi·39 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
9
Merge onto I 76; PATP
39 mi·42 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
3.0 mi·4 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 347BToward Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue
13
Keep slight left at fork
151 ft·5 sec
Toward I 76 East: Walt Whitman Bridge
14
Continue on West Oregon Vare Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·West Oregon Vare Avenue
15
Continue on Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue
1.8 mi·3 min·Oregon Avenue/Vare Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto South 5th Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Porter Street
465 ft·24 sec·Porter Street
18
Turn right onto South 4th Street
270 ft·13 sec·South 4th Street
19
Turn right onto Vollmer Street
238 ft·10 sec·Vollmer Street
20
Arrive at destination
Vollmer Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.2 miles from Akron, PA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.2 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitman, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Akron, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Akron, PA
This is one driving day of about 72.4 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Akron, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 39.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Akron, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Whitman, PA
The final approach into Whitman, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 37.4
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 2.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.00 one way
$24.01 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.15
$26.29
premium
$4.93
$14.04
$28.08
diesel
$5.61
$15.99
$31.97
Estimated Tolls: $5.12
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(39.4 mi)$5.12
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.7
0
$7.60
$3.48
Efficient EV
18.1
0
$6.34
$2.90
EV Truck/SUV
29
0
$10.14
$4.63
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Akron, PA
Afternoon
in Akron on Friday
Local time
2:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Whitman, PA
Afternoon
in Whitman on Friday
Local time
2:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Akron, PA to Whitman, PA covers 72.4 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 76, South Reading Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Akron, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.8 miles (I 76 / Schuylkill Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Akron, PA and Whitman, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
