This 249-mile journey from Croydon, PA to Ferndale, PA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making up 84% of the drive, with shorter segments on Clear Shade Drive and Eichler Road. With a projected fuel cost of around $41, it's a budget-friendly trip. Considering the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles, you'll want to plan for at least one stop to break up the drive. This highway-focused trip is a straightforward way to travel within Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.5 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 249 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominant experience on this route, with 84% of the drive on high-speed roads, predominantly the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll encounter one continuous stretch of 206.1 miles on the Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The profile is decidedly highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, multi-lane roads designed for efficient travel. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of Clear Shade Drive and Eichler Road suggests a potential shift in road type and speed as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of pace.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 206.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Clear Shade Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 249 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|Street Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
213.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
7
213.9 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Croydon, PA and Ferndale, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Altoona
213.1 mi in|~3h 55m
Johnstown
213.1 mi in|~3h 55m
Cessna
216.6 mi in|~4h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
206.1 mi
3h 43m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Eichler Road
10.5 mi
15m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
Quaker Valley Road
3.8 mi
5m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
I 99
2.4 mi
2m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 206.1 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Ferndale, PA.
1
Start on State Road
1.6 mi·3 min·State Road
2
Turn right onto Street Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Street Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
4
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi·26 sec·Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 276, PATPUse the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
12
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
14
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi·5 min·Quaker Valley Road
15
Continue on PA 56
10 mi·15 min·Eichler Road
16
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
17
Continue on PA 56
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
18
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
146 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
19
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
20
Continue on Bedford Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Bedford Street
21
Turn left onto Penrod Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Penrod Street
22
Turn right onto Ruby Street
184 ft·5 sec·Ruby Street
23
Turn slight left onto Oakland Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Oakland Avenue
24
Turn right onto PA 756
0.7 mi·1 min·Ohio Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto PA 403
0.3 mi·33 sec·Central Avenue
26
Turn slight right onto PA 403
0.3 mi·34 sec·Bridge Street
27
Continue on PA 403
0.4 mi·45 sec·Ferndale Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
PA 403
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a longest stretch of over 200 miles, plan for one substantial stop midway to refuel and stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is $41, so ensure your tank is full before setting out. Given the highway-focused nature, keep an eye out for designated rest areas along the Turnpike for convenient breaks. Your single stop should be strategically placed to break up the 206.1-mile segment on the Turnpike.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.5 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.1 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferndale, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Croydon, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 249 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Croydon, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 206.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.5 mi from Croydon, PA
· 2h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 124.5 miles from Croydon, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 206.1 miles.
Arriving in Ferndale, PA
The final approach into Ferndale, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Ferndale, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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...
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 137.4
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 240.4
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 240.4
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 94.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.28 one way
$82.56 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$45.21
$90.42
premium
$4.93
$48.29
$96.58
diesel
$5.61
$54.98
$109.95
Estimated Tolls: $26.80
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(206.1 mi)$26.80
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
$41
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.79
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Friday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ferndale, PA
Afternoon
in Ferndale on Friday
Local time
4:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Hilltown, PA
125 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 50m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Croydon, PA to Ferndale, PA covers 249 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Clear Shade Drive, Eichler 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 124.5 miles from Croydon, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 249 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Croydon, PA and Ferndale, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. There are 6 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.
