Croydon, PA to Buffington, PA is 304.5 miles and takes about 5h 52m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and PA 982, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. Given the mostly highway profile, this route is a straightforward connection between these two points, ideal if you're looking for efficiency. Planning for a single day is feasible, but consider traffic patterns, especially if departing during peak hours.
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
152.3 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
261.7 mi
4h 45m
University Drive
9.9 mi
11m
PA 982
8 mi
13m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
New Salem Road
5 mi
8m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
Memorial Boulevard
4 mi
4m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 261.7 mi, about 4h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Buffington, PA.
1
Start on State Road
1.6 mi·3 min·State Road
2
Turn right onto Street Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Street Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
4
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi·26 sec·Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 276, PATPUse the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
262 mi·4 hr 45 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, UniontownUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·State Route 31
10
Continue on PA 31
0.1 mi·15 sec·Three Mile Hill
11
Turn left onto PA 982
8.0 mi·13 min·PA 982
12
Turn left onto US 119
4.0 mi·4 min·Memorial Boulevard
13
Turn straight onto US 119
0.6 mi·39 sec·Blackstone Road
14
Merge onto US 119
0.5 mi·33 sec·Morrell Avenue
15
Turn slight right onto US 119
9.9 mi·11 min·University Drive
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 40 West, US 40 Business: Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto US 40
0.5 mi·1 min·National Pike
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto New Salem Road
5.0 mi·8 min·New Salem Road
19
Continue on East Main Street
0.4 mi·43 sec·East Main Street
20
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Front Street
21
Turn right onto One Way Road
152 ft·8 sec·One Way Road
22
Turn right
340 ft·24 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 52-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic. With only one recommended stop and a long highway segment, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before you begin the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The fuel cost is estimated at $51, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Croydon, PA, as services can be spaced out on the turnpike. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time conditions.
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 152.3 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.7 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffington, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Croydon, 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 Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 304.5 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Croydon, 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 261.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 298.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|Street Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
268.7 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
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 PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
7
298.1 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 40 West, US 40 Business: Main Street
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 40 West, US 40 Business: Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.18 one way
$106.36 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$58.23
$116.45
premium
$5.20
$62.29
$124.58
diesel
$6.28
$75.24
$150.48
Estimated Tolls: $34.02
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(261.7 mi)$34.02
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
$53
Tolls
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$112–$137
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.97
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.63
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Morning
in Croydon on Thursday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Buffington, PA
Morning
in Buffington on Thursday
Local time
6:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
63°F
State Line, PA
152 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
5h 52m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 31.5
Park Closure: Route 252 Closed between Route 23 and Covered Bridge - Resuming July 13
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 136.5
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 241.5
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 94.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily weighted towards highway travel, with 91% of the route on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 261.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to University Drive and then PA 982. Expect a significant number of exits and merges as you navigate the turnpike for the majority of your travel time.
91% 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: 261.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and University Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 304.5 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 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,277 ft26 ft
Total Climb
2,838 ft
Total Descent
1,834 ft
Highest Point
2,277 ft
~261 mi in
Elevation Range
2,250 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Croydon, PA to Buffington, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Uniontown along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 304.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.02 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 19 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 Buffington, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buffington, PA before the return drive.
