Origin
Easton, PA
Late night in Easton on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Easton, 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
2h 4m
Distance
97.2 mi
156 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Easton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Easton to Harrisburg is 97.2 miles and takes about 2h 4m via William Penn Highway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. With only a 22% highway share, expect a good portion of your travel time to be on surface roads, offering a more local feel to your transit. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for spontaneous stops along the way if you choose.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.6 miles from Easton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 43.1 mi | 51m |
| I 81 | 20.8 mi | 25m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 19.7 mi | 26m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Northampton Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Herr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 322 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 43.1 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Easton, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Spruce Street
38 ft
·
4 sec
·
Spruce Street
2
Turn right onto South 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
South 9th Street
3
Turn left onto PA 248
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Northampton Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto PA 248
304 ft
·
6 sec
·
Nazareth Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto Sales Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Sales Street
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem
6
Take the ramp
402 ft
·
18 sec
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem
7
Merge onto US 22
20 mi
·
26 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
51 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 81
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 81
12
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
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
16
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
17
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2h 4m drive, you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Easton in the morning will get you to Harrisburg with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the longest stretch on surface roads is 43.1 miles, plan to take a break around that point if needed, perhaps when you transition from I 81 back onto surface routes. Your estimated fuel cost is around $16, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading out. This route is well-suited for a same-day trip, so you can easily adjust your schedule as needed.
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 48.6 miles from Easton, PA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.6 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
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 Easton, 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 Easton, PA
This is one driving day of about 97.2 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Easton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 43.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.6 miles from Easton, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 9th Street
Turn right onto South 9th Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 248 / Northampton Street
Turn left onto PA 248 / Northampton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
72.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
6
94 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
94.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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
$16.11 one way
$32.23 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.65 | $35.30 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.85 | $37.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.46 | $42.92 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(19.7 mi)
$1.38
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.61 | $6.22 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Late night in Harrisburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Kutztown, PA
49 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
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
2h 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 22% of this 97.2-mile trip to be on highways like I 81. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 43.1 miles along the William Penn Highway. You'll notice a transition from highway cruising to more frequent intersections and traffic signals as you move onto the Lehigh Valley Thruway and William Penn Highway. This mix means you'll experience both open road driving and navigating through more developed areas.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.1 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 9th Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 97.2 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: near the start (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (PA 248 / Northampton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Easton, PA
Full guide →Easton is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Bethlehem, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. In the Lehigh Valley, Easton borders the Delaware River and Phillipsburg, New Jersey to its east and Bethlehem to its southwest. The city lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the Skylands and New Jersey state line, 72 miles (116 km) west of New York City and 77 miles (124 km) north of Philadelphia.
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 2h 4m. Total distance: 97.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.1 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.38 in tolls one way, starting with Lehigh Valley Thruway. 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 Harrisburg, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (PA 248 / Northampton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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