Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
218.2 mi
351 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
10 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whitman, PA
Haneul Trac
South Union, PA
Michael Taccetta
Whitman, PA to South Union, PA is 218.2 miles and takes about 4h 29m via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for both your departure and arrival. It's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended single day for completion, this route is ideal for a quick journey between these two points.
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
109.1 miles from Whitman, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75 mi | 1h 21m |
| Keystone Shortway | 65.8 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 15 | 27.6 mi | 31m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 15 | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| Water Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Westbranch Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Whitman, PA and South Union, PA.
Start on Vollmer Street
Turn right onto South 5th Street
Turn left onto Ritner Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Oregon Avenue
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 76
Take the exit
Merge onto I 476
Turn slight left onto I 476
Continue on I 476; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Continue on US 15
Continue on US 15
Continue on US 15
Take the exit onto US 15
Merge onto I 180; US 15; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 414
Turn left onto PA 414
Turn right onto PA 414
Turn right onto Salt Spring Road
Turn left onto T329
Turn left onto South Union Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 29m duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for the 218.2-mile journey. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing; however, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 75 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $35, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before longer highway segments. This trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can depart at your convenience and arrive with time to spare.
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.
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 48 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.1 miles or 2h 9m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Union, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Whitman, 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 Whitman, PA
This is one driving day of about 218.2 miles and 4h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109.1 miles from Whitman, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 15: Lewisburg, Williamsport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15 toward US 15 North: Mansfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 414: Morris, Liberty
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$35.10 one way
$70.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| premium | $4.95 | $42.56 | $85.12 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $51.37 | $102.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
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
$35
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Drums, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.91 | $10.47 |
| Efficient EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.09 | $8.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.3 | 1 | $30.55 | $13.96 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Whitman on Saturday
Local time
1:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in South Union on Saturday
Local time
1:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the drive on major roadways. You'll experience stretches of comfortable, faster driving, including one uninterrupted segment of 75 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. While primarily highway, expect some transitions as you move between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Keystone Shortway, and US 15. This mix means you'll mostly be on well-maintained, high-speed roads but with some variation in the driving experience as you navigate between these primary routes.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.9 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 218.2 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 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Whitman, PA and South Union, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Williamsport.
Mount Pocono
Williamsport
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 218.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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