Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Night in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
9:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
106.7 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, expect a straightforward journey covering 107.2 miles. You should budget about 1 hour and 49 minutes of travel time, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Since the entire drive stays within Pennsylvania, you will remain in the Northeast region throughout the trip. With fuel costs estimated at $17, it is an economical choice for a quick getaway or a business trip. There are no mandatory stops required for this distance, allowing you to complete the trek in one efficient push.
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
53.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive, as this route relies entirely on surface streets rather than interstate travel. You will navigate via East Penn Square, John F, and North 16th Street to reach your destination. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate constant maneuvering rather than high-speed cruising. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on East Penn Square, underscoring the technical, urban nature of the navigation. Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel that keeps you engaged with local road conditions from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 78.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 106.7 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 611 / East Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
18.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
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 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
18.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
18.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
8
98.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
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 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Towns Along This Route
Between Philadelphia, PA and Harrisburg, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown and Hershey.
Chester
18.4 mi in
|
~26m
Pottstown
18.4 mi in
|
~26m
Hershey
98.7 mi in
|
~1h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 78.8 mi | 1h 24m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| I 283 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North 7th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North 16th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on South Penn Square
397 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
2
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 676; US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 30
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 283
17
Keep slight left at fork
2.7 mi
·
3 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 44B
Toward 17th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
293 ft
·
7 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto South 17th Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 17th Street
21
Turn left onto Derry Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Derry Street
22
Turn right onto South 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 13th Street
23
Turn left onto State Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Street
24
Continue on Fisher Plaza
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Fisher Plaza
25
Keep slight right at fork onto North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
26
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, avoid peak traffic hours to keep your travel time closer to the 1 hour and 49-minute estimate. Since you are not utilizing highways, stay alert for frequent turns and changing speed limits that define this 107.2-mile path. You do not need to worry about long, monotonous stretches, but keep your $17 fuel budget in mind before you head out. Because this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Stay focused on your navigation apps, as the lack of highway signage means you will be making consistent, localized turns throughout the journey.
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 53.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.3 miles or 1h 5m 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 42m
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 Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 106.7 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Philadelphia, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 78.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.3 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 53.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.8 miles.
Arriving in Harrisburg, PA
The final approach into Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, 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
$17.66 one way
$35.31 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $19.32 | $38.64 |
| premium | $4.92 | $20.68 | $41.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.71 | $47.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.24
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.8 mi)
$10.24
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
$18
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.20 | $5.12 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.94 | $6.83 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Night in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
9:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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
2h 8m 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 Philadelphia, PA to Harrisburg, PA covers 106.7 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Schuylkill Expressway, I 283. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.66 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 demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 106.7 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Harrisburg, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown and Hershey.
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