Spanning 359 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Cochranton to Croydon typically takes about 6 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this is a long haul, it is best approached as a dedicated one-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. You will spend your time navigating a mix of major arteries, including the Keystone Shortway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Budgeting approximately $59 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the expenses ahead. Since both locations reside within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. Whether you are heading east for business or a visit, knowing the scope of this drive helps you decide if you should push through in a single day or break it up.
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
179.5 miles from Cochranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
205.8 mi
3h 43m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18 mi
19m
US Highway 322
17.2 mi
25m
US 322
14.5 mi
20m
Main Street
6.1 mi
9m
Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Route 322
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 205.8 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cochranton, PA and Croydon, PA.
1
Start on PA 173
0.6 mi·1 min·Adams Street
2
Turn right onto US 322
14 mi·20 min·US 322
3
Continue on US 322
1.2 mi·2 min·Grant Street
4
Turn right onto US 322
0.3 mi·47 sec·Meadville Pike
5
Continue on US 322
0.2 mi·48 sec·13th Street
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·15 sec·8th Street
8
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·Lakes To the Sea Highway
9
Continue on US 322
4.8 mi·7 min·US Highway 322
10
Continue on US 322
2.7 mi·4 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
11
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
12
Continue on US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·Main Street
13
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
15
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
18
Merge onto I 80
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto PA 132
4.0 mi·6 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
1.6 mi·2 min·State Road
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
To manage this nearly seven-hour drive effectively, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving Cochranton early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion as you move closer to the more populated corridors near Croydon. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially while tackling that long 205.8-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, to ensure you don't find yourself running low between service plazas. Since the entire trip is achievable in a single day, maintain a consistent pace rather than rushing, which will help you arrive in Croydon feeling refreshed. Utilizing the turnpike system provides a predictable path, so keep your payment method or toll pass ready to ensure smooth transitions between segments.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.5 miles from Cochranton, PA, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.8 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 79 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.5 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Croydon, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cochranton, 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 Cochranton, PA
This is one driving day of about 359 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Cochranton, 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 205.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.8 and 357.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.8 mi into trip|~25m in|US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Turn left onto US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
259.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
334.7 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
7
353 mi into trip|~6h 47m in
Take the exit toward PA 132: Street Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 352
Toward PA 132: Street Road
7
357.4 mi into trip|~6h 54m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.52 one way
$119.04 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$65.19
$130.37
premium
$4.93
$69.62
$139.25
diesel
$5.61
$79.26
$158.53
Estimated Tolls: $12.03
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(92.6 mi)$12.03
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
$60
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.7
1
$37.70
$17.23
Efficient EV
89.8
1
$31.41
$14.36
EV Truck/SUV
143.6
1
$50.26
$22.98
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Cochranton, PA
Late night
in Cochranton on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Croydon, PA
Late night
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
180 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
18 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
6h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 334.2
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
near mile 334.2
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 334.2
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 334.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more variable road conditions. You will spend about 36% of your time on highways, providing steady progress toward your destination. A significant portion of the trip involves the Keystone Shortway, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch at 205.8 miles. Expect the character of the road to shift as you transition between these major infrastructure projects and local connectors. Navigating these varied road types keeps the drive engaging, as you transition from the relative openness of the initial stretches to the more structured environment of the turnpike system.
36% 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: 205.8 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 16.8 miles in near US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 359 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 16.8 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 259.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,756 ft271 ft
Total Climb
1,006 ft
Total Descent
1,804 ft
Highest Point
1,756 ft
~128.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,486 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cochranton, PA and Croydon, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
259 mi in|~5h 3m
Allentown
259 mi in|~5h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 359 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 205.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.03 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 Croydon, 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 16.8 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 259.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Croydon, PA before the return drive.
