Croydon, PA to Cambridge Springs, PA is 405.2 miles and takes about 7h 32m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I 79, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the Northwest. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day drive if you start early. With two planned stops, you can break up the 7.5-hour drive comfortably. It's a straightforward path across the state, ideal for a direct transit.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
202.6 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
256.6 mi
4h 37m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
I 79
36.7 mi
39m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17.1 mi
18m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
PA-198
2.9 mi
5m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,463
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Croydon, PA and Cambridge Springs, 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
17 mi·18 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
14
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
16
Merge onto I 79
37 mi·39 min·I 79
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward PA 198: Saegertown, Conneautville
18
Turn right onto PA 198
2.9 mi·5 min·PA-198
19
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 19
248 ft·4 sec·Route 6/Route 19
20
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.4 mi·2 min·Route 6/Route 19
21
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·16 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
22
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·14 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Army
23
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.9 mi·2 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
24
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·Church Street
25
Turn right onto US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·31 sec·Cussewago Street
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.3 mi·39 sec·River Street
27
Continue on US 6; US 19
2.5 mi·3 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
28
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.8 mi·2 min·Venango Avenue
29
Turn right onto US 6; US 19
276 ft·9 sec·Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
PA 408
Trip Plan
To complete this 405.2-mile drive in about 7.5 hours, aim for a morning departure. This allows you to utilize the full daylight and make your two stops without feeling rushed. The longest stretch is 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your first major break after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from highway to surface roads, and note that the estimated fuel cost is around $74. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more leisurely pace, consider an overnight stop midway.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 202.6 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.6 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 89 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.6 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge Springs, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 405.2 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Croydon, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 256.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 98.7 — 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
24.1 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
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 I 476: Chester, Allentown
6
98.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.66 one way
$143.32 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$78.49
$156.98
premium
$5.24
$83.66
$167.31
diesel
$5.35
$85.35
$170.69
Estimated Tolls: $11.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(91.2 mi)$11.87
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
$72
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.6
1
$42.55
$19.45
Efficient EV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
EV Truck/SUV
162.1
2
$56.73
$25.93
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cambridge Springs, PA
Afternoon
in Cambridge Springs on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
11 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
7h 32m 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 27.9
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this 405.2-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering 256.6 miles. After that section, you'll transition to surface roads. Be prepared for a noticeable change in driving pace as highway exits become less frequent and the landscape opens up to more rural cruising.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 405.2 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
1,664 ft26 ft
Total Climb
2,596 ft
Total Descent
1,465 ft
Highest Point
1,664 ft
~231.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,638 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Croydon, PA and Cambridge Springs, PA, road signs point toward Allentown and Mount Pocono.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 405.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m 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 256.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.87 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 38 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 Cambridge Springs, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 38 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, 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cambridge Springs, PA before the return drive.
