This 209.4-mile journey from Coaldale, PA, to Haverford, PA, will take approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily via Loch Lomond Road, Railroad Street, and Port Matilda Highway, with no highway driving to speak of. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $35. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, it's best suited for a single day of travel. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent experience throughout its course.
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
104.7 miles from Coaldale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
78.4 mi
1h 24m
General Potter Highway
75.6 mi
1h 35m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Port Matilda Highway
5.9 mi
8m
US 322
5.3 mi
7m
West Montgomery Avenue
4.3 mi
9m
I 99
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Traffic on I-283
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,121 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,562
Quietest
1 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coaldale, PA and Haverford, PA.
1
Start on Coaldale Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Coaldale Road
2
Turn slight left onto Loch Lomond Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Loch Lomond Road
3
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·24 sec·Railroad Street
4
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
5
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
6
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
7
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi·8 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
10
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
76 mi·1 hr 35 min·General Potter Highway
12
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi·1 min·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
14
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
4.3 mi·5 min·US 322
Exit 70Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, YorkUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46AToward I 283 South: Harrisburg International AirportUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 283
2.8 mi·4 min·I 283
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
19
Merge onto I 76; PATP
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto I 76
3.9 mi·6 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 330Toward PA 320: Gulph MillsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
340 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 320 South: VillanovaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto PA 320
0.6 mi·1 min·South Gulph Road
24
Continue on PA 320
4.3 mi·9 min·West Montgomery Avenue
25
Turn left onto Woodside Road
525 ft·23 sec·Woodside Road
26
Turn left onto Winsor Lane
343 ft·18 sec·Winsor Lane
27
Turn left
10 ft·0 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive to Haverford early in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on the local roads. With a duration of under 5 hours and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways; the estimated $35 fuel cost should help you budget. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of speed limit changes as you transition between different towns along Loch Lomond Road, Railroad Street, and Port Matilda Highway.
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 104.7 miles from Coaldale, PA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 46 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 39m
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 Coaldale, 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 Coaldale, PA
This is one driving day of about 209.4 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Coaldale, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.5 and 200.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.5 mi into trip|~40m in|US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
7
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...
9
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
8
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
8
200.1 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.57 one way
$73.14 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$40.04
$80.08
premium
$5.20
$42.84
$85.67
diesel
$6.28
$51.74
$103.48
Estimated Tolls: $10.20
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.4 mi)$10.20
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
$37
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Gas CO2
73 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Coaldale, PA
Morning
in Coaldale on Wednesday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Haverford, PA
Morning
in Haverford on Wednesday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
50°F
Harrisburg, PA
105 mi in
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
4h 28m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 194.9
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
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...
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 209.4
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 144.4
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 101.1
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 187.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The roads will likely feel more intimate and connected to the local landscape, rather than a fast-paced highway experience. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch, the emphasis on local roads suggests a more dynamic driving experience with frequent turns and potential changes in speed as you pass through different communities. This type of drive requires your full attention, rewarding you with a more immersive feel of the Pennsylvania landscape.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 26.5 miles in near US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 209.4 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 26.5 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.9 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,488 ft319 ft
Total Climb
665 ft
Total Descent
1,833 ft
Highest Point
1,488 ft
Elevation Range
1,169 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coaldale, PA and Haverford, PA, road signs point toward State College, Hazleton, Carlisle and York.
Haverford Township is a region of Delaware County in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a western suburb of Philadelphia. About 50,000 people live in Haverford Township. It was founded by the Welsh Quakers in 1681 and purchased by William Penn.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 209.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.20 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.5 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.9 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Haverford, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
