Origin
Harford, PA
Late night in Harford on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harford, PA to Great Bend, PA
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
19m
Distance
15.4 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harford, PA
Kai
Great Bend, PA
Nico Becker
Trip Overview
This quick 15.4-mile drive from Harford, PA to Great Bend, PA takes about 19 minutes, making it an ideal option for a very short day trip. You'll primarily be on I-81, with a small portion on State Route 547 and US 11, meaning the vast majority of your journey will be highway-focused. With a fuel cost estimated at just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly excursion. Since there are no suggested stops and the drive is so brief, you have complete flexibility in planning your departure and return. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.7 miles from Harford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 13.4 miles on I-81, indicating a consistent, high-speed journey for most of the trip. While the route is largely on interstates, there are brief transitions onto State Route 547 and US 11, offering a slight variation in the driving environment before returning to the main highway. This means you'll mostly be in a fast-paced, efficient travel mode.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and State Route 547. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547
Turn sharp left onto PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
14.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
PA 171 / State Route 171
Turn left onto PA 171 / State Route 171
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
15.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 11
Turn right onto US 11
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| State Route 547 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| US 11 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| State Route 171 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Tingley Lake Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Williams Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 13.4 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harford, PA and Great Bend, PA.
1
Start on Tingley Lake Road
196 ft
·
12 sec
·
Tingley Lake Road
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 547; PA 2063
511 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Route 547
3
Continue on PA 547
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 547
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
7
Turn left onto PA 171
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Route 171
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Williams Street
76 ft
·
3 sec
·
Williams Street
10
Arrive at destination
Williams Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 19-minute duration, this trip offers maximum flexibility. You can leave at any time of day without needing to worry about breaking up a long journey. The fuel cost is minimal at an estimated $3, so keeping your tank topped off won't be a concern. Since there are no planned stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a quick break. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention when transitioning off I-81 onto State Route 547 and US 11, as these brief segments are where the driving experience changes most noticeably.
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 7.7 miles from Harford, PA, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.4 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 15.4 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.7 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Bend, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harford, 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 Harford, PA
This is one driving day of about 15.4 miles and 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Harford, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 13.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.7 mi from Harford, PA · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 15.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.7 miles from Harford, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Great Bend, PA
The final approach into Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.55 one way
$5.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.80 | $5.59 |
| premium | $4.93 | $2.99 | $5.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.40 | $6.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.35 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Great Bend, PA
Late night in Great Bend on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
19m 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 Harford, PA to Great Bend, PA covers 15.4 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, State Route 547, US 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.7 miles from Harford, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.55 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 is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Harford, PA to Great Bend, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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