Origin
Danville, PA
Morning in Danville on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Danville, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
80.3 mi
129 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Danville, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Danville, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 80.3 miles and takes about 1h 39m via I 81 and State Route 54, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a straightforward drive. Expect a journey primarily on major roads, making it a practical option for those needing to cover ground efficiently. The relatively short duration suggests it's ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.2 miles from Danville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 48.3 mi | 56m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Fairgrounds Road | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Danville-Riverside Bridge Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 48.3 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Danville, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Church Street
40 ft
·
5 sec
·
Church Street
2
Turn right onto US 11
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Walnut Street
3
Continue on US 11
436 ft
·
17 sec
·
Bloom Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 11
285 ft
·
11 sec
·
Northumberland Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto PA 54
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
7
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
8
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
10
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
11
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
12
Continue on PA 901
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Sunbury Road
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
14
Merge onto I 81
48 mi
·
56 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
19
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
20
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 39m duration, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. You can easily tackle this drive in one day without needing to split it up. With a fuel cost estimated around $13, keeping your tank topped up won't be a major concern. Pay attention to signage as you transition from I 81 to State Route 54, as this is where the road character subtly shifts. Since there are no recommended stops, plan for any necessary breaks before or after your drive.
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 40.2 miles from Danville, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.3 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.2 miles or 48m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Danville, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Danville, PA
This is one driving day of about 80.3 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Danville, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 48.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Danville, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 77.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
28.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.31 one way
$26.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.58 | $29.16 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.73 | $35.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.1 | 0 | $8.43 | $3.85 |
| Efficient EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Morning in Harrisburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
2 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 39m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 74% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 81. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey, including an uninterrupted stretch of 48.3 miles on I 81. While the main roads provide efficiency, be prepared for the typical characteristics of interstate driving. The transition onto State Route 54 and Elysburg Road will offer a slight change of scenery, but the overall feel remains highway-oriented.
74% 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: 48.3 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and State Route 54. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near PA 54 / Continental Boulevard.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Danville, PA
Full guide →Founded 1776
Danville is a city in Montour County. Danville is part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick area.
Top landmarks
- • Thomas Beaver Free Library and Danville YMCA — library
Arriving in Harrisburg, PA
Full guide →Founded 1719
Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
Top landmarks
- • Pennsylvania State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
- • Cathedral of Saint Patrick — cathedral of the Catholic Church in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United St...
- • Harrisburg Transportation Center — intermodal station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 80.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Harrisburg, 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 0.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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 Harrisburg, PA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Harrisburg, PA
More from Danville, PA
More trips to Harrisburg, PA
Explore more options from Danville, PA or browse trips ending in Harrisburg, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.