Origin
Brookhaven, PA
Late night in Brookhaven on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brookhaven, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
96.4 mi
155 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brookhaven, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brookhaven to Harrisburg is 96.4 miles and takes about 2h 4m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, transitioning from the Northeast region to its capital. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. If you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points without much fuss, this route fits the bill. Consider it for a day trip or the start of a longer adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Brookhaven, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 64.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| PA 100 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| North Middletown Road | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| West Chester Pike | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| South New Middletown Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| I 283 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| South Chester Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Chester Bypass | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 64.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on PA 352
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Edgmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on PA 352
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South New Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on PA 352
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
North Middletown Road
4
Continue on PA 352
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Chester Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 202; US 322
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Chester Bypass
8
Take the exit onto PA 100
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: Exton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward PATP
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 76; PATP
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 283
14
Keep slight left at fork
2.7 mi
·
3 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 44B
Toward 17th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
293 ft
·
7 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto South 17th Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 17th Street
18
Turn left onto Derry Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Derry Street
19
Turn right onto South 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 13th Street
20
Turn left onto State Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Street
21
Continue on Fisher Plaza
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Fisher Plaza
22
Keep slight right at fork onto North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
23
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 4m duration, this is a very manageable one-day trip. You can depart anytime, but leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight for arrival and any immediate plans in Harrisburg. There are no specific stops recommended in the data, so you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps grabbing fuel before you depart Brookhaven or once you reach Harrisburg. The longest continuous stretch is 64.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan for a fuel stop before or after this segment if your tank is low.
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 48.2 miles from Brookhaven, PA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.5 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 21 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 39m
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 Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, PA
This is one driving day of about 96.4 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Brookhaven, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 64.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.2 miles from Brookhaven, 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 64.5 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 94.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Pruss...
6
15.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
PA 100
Take the exit onto PA 100 toward PA 100 North: Exton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 100 North: Exton
8
88.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m 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
7
93.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44B
Toward 17th Street
7
94.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.98 one way
$31.96 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.50 | $35.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.70 | $37.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.28 | $42.57 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.39
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(64.5 mi)
$8.39
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
$16
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
| Efficient EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.44 | $3.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.50 | $6.17 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Late night in Harrisburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 4m 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.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 10
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 16.6
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 69.8
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
View on nps.gov
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 96.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of it on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including one stretch that lasts 64.5 miles. While the initial part of the journey may involve local roads like North Middletown Road and PA 100, the bulk of the travel is on the turnpike. Expect consistent speeds and a driving experience centered around efficient travel rather than scenic detours.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 96.4 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 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, PA and Harrisburg, PA, road signs point toward Downingtown, Patp and Hershey.
Downingtown
14.3 mi in
|
~25m
Patp
23.2 mi in
|
~39m
Hershey
88.4 mi in
|
~1h 50m
About the Cities
Arriving in Harrisburg, PA
Full guide →Founded 1719
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.
Top landmarks
- • Pennsylvania State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
- • Cathedral of Saint Patrick — cathedral of the Catholic Church in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United St...
- • Harrisburg Transportation Center — intermodal station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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 2h 4m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.39 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — First State National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Harrisburg, PA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Harrisburg, PA
More from Brookhaven, PA
More trips to Harrisburg, PA
Explore more options from Brookhaven, PA or browse trips ending in Harrisburg, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.