Croydon, PA to Paint, PA is 243.8 miles and takes about 4h 40m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the Northeast region. With an 86% highway share, expect consistent travel speeds for most of the journey. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground with minimal fuss.
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
121.9 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
206.1 mi
3h 43m
Clear Shade Drive
10.7 mi
15m
Eichler Road
10.5 mi
15m
Street Road
4.2 mi
7m
Quaker Valley Road
3.8 mi
5m
I 99
2.4 mi
2m
Scalp Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
State Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 206.1 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Paint, 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
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
12
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
14
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi·5 min·Quaker Valley Road
15
Continue on PA 56
10 mi·15 min·Eichler Road
16
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
17
Continue on PA 56
0.9 mi·1 min·Scalp Avenue
18
Continue on PA 56
0.9 mi·1 min·Scalp Avenue
19
Continue on PA 56
0.2 mi·15 sec·Clear Shade Drive
20
Arrive at destination
PA 56
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Croydon, PA is advisable to ensure you arrive in Paint, PA with ample daylight. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is over 200 miles, so plan for your first significant stop after that point to refuel and stretch. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing where and when to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main turnpike onto Clear Shade Drive and Eichler Road, as services might be less frequent. This route is well-suited for a single-day push, so you can depart with confidence knowing you can complete it in one go.
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 121.9 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.1 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.9 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paint, 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 243.8 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 206.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 213.9 — 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
213.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
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 Altoona, Johnstown
7
213.9 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.42 one way
$80.84 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.27
$88.54
premium
$4.93
$47.28
$94.56
diesel
$5.61
$53.83
$107.66
Estimated Tolls: $26.80
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(206.1 mi)$26.80
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
$40
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.1
0
$25.60
$11.70
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.33
$9.75
EV Truck/SUV
97.5
1
$34.13
$15.60
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Morning
in Croydon on Tuesday
Local time
10:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paint, PA
Morning
in Paint on Tuesday
Local time
10:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Hilltown, PA
122 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
15 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
4h 40m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 134.5
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...
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 243.8
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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 92.5
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 243.8
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 predominantly a highway experience, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 206.1 miles, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is highway, the route also incorporates segments of Clear Shade Drive and Eichler Road, introducing some variation as you get closer to Paint. Expect a profile that is largely about covering distance efficiently, with the highway sections allowing for steady progress. The transition from the main turnpike to these more localized roads marks the final approach to your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Clear Shade 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 12 significant decision points across 243.8 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.
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 Paint, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 243.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.80 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 Paint, 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 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 — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Paint, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
