Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Evening in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
7:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrisburg, PA to State College, PA
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
86.1 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
State College, PA
Jay Brand
Trip Overview
Connecting Harrisburg to State College, this 86.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the heart of Pennsylvania. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 56 minutes on the road, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $14 for fuel will cover your transit across these two Northeast locations. Navigating via North Cameron Street, US 22, and Boal Avenue, you will find this route is efficient for those moving between the capital city and the university hub. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers the flexibility to head out early or late depending on your personal schedule.
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
43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 28% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend much of your time navigating local roads that shift in character as you progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 53.1 miles on North Cameron Street, providing a significant portion of your travel time on a single road. Because this route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, the pace is more variable than a typical high-speed commute. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the technical nature of these roads requires constant navigation through changing road conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Cameron Street is the longest continuous segment at about 53.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,556 ft
332 ft
Total Climb
1,876 ft
Total Descent
1,059 ft
Highest Point
1,556 ft
~73.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,224 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 7th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 5 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 (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.6 miles (Maclay Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 22 / North Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Maclay Street
Turn right onto Maclay Street
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 22 / North Cameron Street
Turn left onto US 22 / North Cameron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 22; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, St...
5
85.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
South Allen Street
Turn right onto South Allen Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Cameron Street | 53.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Boal Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| South Atherton Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| South Allen Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North 7th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Maclay Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Cameron Street
— 53.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and State College, PA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
89 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
4
Turn right onto Maclay Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Maclay Street
5
Turn left onto US 22
53 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 322 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Boal Avenue
Toward US 322 Business: Boalsburg
9
Continue on US 322 Business
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
South Atherton Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto South Allen Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Allen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
South Allen Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids local traffic peaks. Plan to complete the 86.1-mile distance in one go, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination comfortably within two hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Harrisburg, as setting aside $14 for gas ensures you won't need to worry about refueling during the transit. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize checking your navigation system for any real-time updates on North Cameron Street before you pull out of your driveway. Enjoy the freedom of a short trip that allows you to arrive in State College feeling refreshed and ready for your day.
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 43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 54m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near State College, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 86.1 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Harrisburg, 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 North Cameron Street for about 53.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.1 mi from Harrisburg, PA · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in State College, PA
The final approach into State College, 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 State College, 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
$14.25 one way
$28.49 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.68 | $33.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.13 | $38.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.04 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.05 | $5.51 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
State College, PA
Evening in State College on Sunday
Local time
7:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
3 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
1h 56m 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 Harrisburg, PA to State College, PA covers 86.1 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Cameron Street, US 22, Boal Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.25 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 1h 56m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.6 miles (Maclay Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 22 / North Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Harrisburg, PA to State College, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 332 ft to 1,556 ft elevation with about 1,876 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From State College, PA
More trips to State College, PA
Explore more options from Harrisburg, PA or browse trips ending in State College, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for Harrisburg, PA or State College, PA on MapSof.net.