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Trip from Central City, PA to Haverford, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

206 mi

332 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Central City, PA, PA

Central City, PA

Kelly

Trip Overview

Central City, PA to Haverford, PA is 206 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania, primarily on well-traveled highways. Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different road types. Given the relatively short duration, this is a straightforward one-day journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

103 miles from Central City, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 118.8 mi 2h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 75.1 mi 1h 21m
West Montgomery Avenue 4.3 mi 9m
Mid-County Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
Matsonford Road 0.9 mi 1m
PA 150 0.9 mi 1m
Moose Run Road 0.4 mi <1m
US 220 Alternate 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 118.8 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Central City, PA and Haverford, PA.

1

Start on Moose Run Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Moose Run Road
2

Turn left

165 ft · 6 sec
3

Turn straight onto PA 150

0.9 mi · 1 min · PA 150
4

Turn left onto US 220 Alternate

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 220 Alternate
Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 80; US 220 Alternate

119 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Keystone Shortway
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
9

Merge onto I 476; PATP

75 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 476; PATP

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
12

Continue on I 476

3.4 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 16 Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

521 ft · 12 sec
Exit 16B Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward Conshohocken Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Matsonford Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Matsonford Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto PA 320

4.3 mi · 9 min · West Montgomery Avenue
18

Turn left onto Woodside Road

525 ft · 23 sec · Woodside Road
19

Turn left onto Winsor Lane

343 ft · 18 sec · Winsor Lane
20

Turn left

10 ft · 0 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 56-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour congestion closer to Haverford. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $34, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 118.8-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments. Consider downloading offline maps, as cell service can be inconsistent in some sections of the drive.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 103 miles from Central City, PA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.8 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 45 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 103 miles or 1h 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 3h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haverford, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Central City, 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 Central City, PA

This is one driving day of about 206 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Central City, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 118.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hazleton, PA

103 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

Carroll, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hazleton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103 miles from Central City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.8 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 121.4 and 200.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
121.4 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 476 South: Allentown
7
196.5 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
200.1 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge

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 16 Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
200.5 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Valley Forge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 16B Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
8
200.6 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Conshohocken

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Conshohocken

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.15 one way

$68.30 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $37.40 $74.81
premium $4.93 $39.95 $79.90
diesel $5.61 $45.48 $90.96

Estimated Tolls: $9.76

Pennsylvania Turnpike (75.1 mi) $9.76

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

$34

Tolls

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.8 0 $21.63 $9.89
Efficient EV 51.5 0 $18.03 $8.24
EV Truck/SUV 82.4 1 $28.84 $13.18

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Central City, PA

Morning in Central City on Sunday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Haverford, PA

Morning in Haverford on Sunday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°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

3h 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 198.9
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour $1 near mile 206
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 206
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 206
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 offers a mixed drive, with 39% of the journey on highways. You'll experience an 118.8-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, which is a substantial segment of uninterrupted driving. As you progress, the roads will transition, incorporating parts of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and local roads like West Montgomery Avenue as you approach your destination. This variety means you'll encounter both faster-paced highway travel and potentially more varied conditions closer to Haverford.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 206 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 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 196.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.1 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.

Between Central City, PA and Haverford, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.

Patp

120.5 mi in | ~2h 13m

Allentown

120.5 mi in | ~2h 13m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 206 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $9.76 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Haverford, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 196.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Haverford, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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