Croydon, PA to Mayfield, PA is 281.8 miles and takes about 5h 19m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, focusing on a direct path through Pennsylvania. Given its highway-focused profile and single-day recommendation, it's a solid option for a straightforward journey. You'll cover a significant distance on the turnpike, making it efficient but also largely consistent. Consider this route if you prioritize reaching your destination with minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
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
140.9 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
261.7 mi
4h 45m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
Three Mile Hill
3.8 mi
5m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Morewood Street
1.5 mi
2m
State Route 981
1.4 mi
2m
Lincoln Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 261.7 mi, about 4h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Mayfield, 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
3.8 mi·5 min·Three Mile Hill
11
Turn left onto PA 981
1.5 mi·2 min·Morewood Street
12
Continue on PA 981
1.4 mi·2 min·State Route 981
13
Arrive at destination
PA 981
Trip Plan
For this 281.8-mile drive, starting your journey in the morning is your best bet to comfortably complete it within the estimated 5h 19m duration. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the 261.7-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $47 estimated cost suggests a significant portion will be on tolled highways where services can be further apart. Given the highway-focused nature, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departing from Croydon, PA, to minimize the need for unscheduled stops.
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 140.9 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 38m 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 62 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.9 miles or 2h 38m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mayfield, 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 281.8 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 268.7 — 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.
5
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in|US 1 / Lincoln Highway
Merge onto US 1 / Lincoln Highway toward US 1 North: Morrisville
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.84 one way
$99.67 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$54.58
$109.17
premium
$5.24
$58.18
$116.36
diesel
$5.35
$59.36
$118.71
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
$50
Tolls
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.5
1
$29.59
$13.53
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.66
$11.27
EV Truck/SUV
112.7
1
$39.45
$18.04
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Rain
E 15 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 23 at 10:01PM EDT until May 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Mayfield, PA
Afternoon
in Mayfield on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers
SE 8 to 13 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 23 at 10:01PM EDT until May 24 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
1 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
5h 19m 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.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 29.1
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 242.9
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 87.4
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 19.4
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 drive for this trip, with 96% of the journey utilizing major roadways. The vast majority of your time will be spent on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 261.7 miles. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a relatively smooth ride for most of the 5h 19m duration. While the primary roads include State Route 31 and Street Road, their contribution is minimal compared to the turnpike. The character of the drive is largely one of efficient travel between two points.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and State Route 31. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 281.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 1 / Lincoln Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,312 ft26 ft
Total Climb
2,566 ft
Total Descent
1,491 ft
Highest Point
2,312 ft
~241.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,286 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 281.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
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 5.9 miles (US 1 / Lincoln Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mayfield, PA before the return drive.
