If you are looking to escape Croydon for the charm of Jim Thorpe, this 87.6-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Northeast Pennsylvania. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a one-day getaway. Budgeting roughly $15 for fuel will cover your transit, which relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and its Northeast Extension. Because the trip is relatively short, you won't need an overnight split, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive. Whether you are seeking a quick change of scenery or a brief retreat, this route offers a practical and efficient link between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Exit 74Toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, StroudsburgUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 209 South: LehightonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
420 ft·10 sec
Toward US 209 South: Lehighton
14
Merge onto US 209
1.6 mi·2 min·Interchange Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
17
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
19
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
20
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
21
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
22
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·33 sec·Lehigh Street
23
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi·1 min·North Street
24
Turn left onto West 6th Street
135 ft·5 sec·West 6th Street
25
Arrive at destination
West 6th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1 hour and 45-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling to avoid peak traffic congestion. You can make the trip without any planned stops, but keep an eye on the clock to ensure you have enough time to enjoy your destination upon arrival. Because the vast majority of your travel occurs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, ensure you have your toll payment method ready to keep your journey moving smoothly. Pack your essentials before leaving Croydon so you can take full advantage of the direct nature of this route. By heading out during off-peak hours, you can keep the drive as seamless as the distance suggests.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.8 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.2 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jim Thorpe, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Croydon, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 55.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 80.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, Stroudsburg
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 74
Toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, Stro...
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 209 South: Lehighton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 209 South: Lehighton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.52 one way
$29.05 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.91
$31.81
premium
$4.93
$16.99
$33.98
diesel
$5.61
$19.34
$38.68
Estimated Tolls: $9.40
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(72.3 mi)$9.40
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
$15
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.26
$5.61
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Morning
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jim Thorpe, PA
Morning
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 45m 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
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 27.2
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 21.1
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 24.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 83% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will start by navigating local routes like Street Road before transitioning onto the high-speed lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 55.2 miles on the Northeast Extension, where you can settle into a steady pace. While the initial leg involves getting onto the turnpike system, the drive quickly settles into a predictable interstate rhythm. This setup makes for a consistent, low-stress commute that is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.6 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 24.1 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 Croydon, PA and Jim Thorpe, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown, Lehighton and Stroudsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.40 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.
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 Jim Thorpe, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 24.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jim Thorpe, PA before heading back.
