Origin
Damascus, PA
Afternoon in Damascus on Saturday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Damascus, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
170.1 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Damascus, PA
Sami Raad
Trip Overview
Damascus, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 170.1 miles and takes about 3h 42m via American Legion Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a route that involves frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short drive time, this trip is well-suited for a single-day journey. Consider this route if you prefer a more engaged driving experience with a variety of road conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.1 miles from Damascus, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 118.6 mi | 2h 19m |
| Governor Robert P. Casey Highway | 15.4 mi | 18m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 11.3 mi | 20m |
| Hancock Highway | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| Cochecton Turnpike | 9 mi | 15m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West Park Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Fair Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Damascus, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on River Road
130 ft
·
12 sec
·
River Road
2
Turn left onto PA 371
9.0 mi
·
15 min
·
Cochecton Turnpike
3
Turn left onto PA 191
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Hancock Highway
4
Continue on PA 191
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fair Avenue
5
Continue on PA 191
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn right onto US 6
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 6
11 mi
·
20 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
8
Continue on US 6
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 81
119 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
15
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
16
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 42-minute duration and 170.1-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample daylight for navigating the more 'turn-heavy' sections. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, keeping the $28 fuel cost in mind. A specific tip for this drive: be prepared for the American Legion Memorial Highway to be your longest continuous stretch; ensure you're comfortable with its conditions before heading out.
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 85.1 miles from Damascus, PA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 37 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.1 miles or 1h 59m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Damascus, 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 Damascus, PA
This is one driving day of about 170.1 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Damascus, 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 American Legion Memorial Highway for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.1 miles from Damascus, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before American Legion Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 19.6 and 167.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 6 / West Park Street
Turn right onto US 6 / West Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
47.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
5
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
167 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
167.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.20 one way
$56.40 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $30.89 | $61.77 |
| premium | $4.93 | $32.99 | $65.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.56 | $75.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Cochecton Turnpike
(9 mi)
$0.63
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.16 |
| Efficient EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.88 | $6.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68 | 0 | $23.81 | $10.89 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Afternoon in Harrisburg on Saturday
Local time
3:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
8 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
3h 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 146.7
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 170.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only a 5% highway share. You'll be navigating a mix of local roads and highways, which means you should anticipate frequent changes in direction and speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.6 miles, primarily on the American Legion Memorial Highway. This suggests that while there are some longer segments, a significant portion of the journey will involve more active steering and navigation.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.6 miles in near US 6 / West Park Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 170.1 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 19.6 miles (US 6 / West Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Harrisburg, PA
Full guide →Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 170.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 in tolls one way, starting with Cochecton Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Harrisburg, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.6 miles (US 6 / West Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Harrisburg, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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