This 86.2-mile drive from Croydon, PA, to West Hamburg, PA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Designed as a single-day adventure, it primarily utilizes major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the William Penn Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The journey is largely highway-focused, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, as this trip is perfectly suited for a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
13
Merge onto I 78; US 22
21 mi·25 min·William Penn Highway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 30Toward HamburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
16
Turn right onto State Street
1.1 mi·2 min·State Street
17
Continue on Hex Highway
508 ft·10 sec·Hex Highway
18
Arrive at destination
Hex Highway
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 46-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Given the 86.2-mile distance, planning for one fuel stop might be wise, especially considering the $14 estimated fuel cost. Watch for the transition onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as this will be your longest uninterrupted stretch of road at 36.7 miles. Since there are no specific recommended stops, consider packing snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the road. This direct route from Croydon to West Hamburg is all about getting you there efficiently.
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 43.1 miles from Croydon, PA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 52m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Hamburg, 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 86.2 miles and 1h 46m.
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 36.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 84.3 — 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
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
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 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Hamburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward Hamburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.29 one way
$28.58 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.65
$31.30
premium
$4.93
$16.72
$33.43
diesel
$5.61
$19.03
$38.06
Estimated Tolls: $7.07
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(53.8 mi)$6.99
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$14
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.05
$4.14
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.54
$3.45
EV Truck/SUV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Late night
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Hamburg, PA
Late night
in West Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
26 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
1h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 26.8
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
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 20.8
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 86.2
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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 23.8
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 for 62% of this 86.2-mile journey. The drive will feature significant stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including one uninterrupted segment of 36.7 miles. This means you'll encounter a good amount of faster-paced driving, interspersed with transitions onto other main roads like the William Penn Highway. While primarily a highway route, the changes in road names suggest shifts in the immediate surroundings, though the overall character remains geared towards efficient travel. It's a route designed for making good time, rather than leisurely exploration.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.7 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 William Penn Highway. 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 86.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 West Hamburg, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Harrisburg.
Patp
6.2 mi in|~10m
Allentown
6.8 mi in|~12m
Harrisburg
61.2 mi in|~1h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 86.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.07 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 West Hamburg, 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 (5 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 West Hamburg, PA before heading back.
