Gilpin, PA to Croydon, PA is 296.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 99, and US 422, with a fuel budget near $49 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. Given its 5-hour duration and single recommended stop, it’s a manageable one-day excursion. Plan for a trip that is primarily interstate cruising, so pack accordingly for a steady pace.
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
148.4 miles from Gilpin, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
206.7 mi
3h 43m
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
US 422
18.2 mi
23m
William Penn Highway
16.4 mi
19m
Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
9.7 mi
10m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
6.2 mi
9m
Street Road
4 mi
6m
Ben Franklin Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 206.7 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,140 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilpin, PA and Croydon, PA.
1
Start on US 119
9.7 mi·10 min·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit AToward US 422 East: Ebensburg
3
Merge onto US 422; PA 286 Truck
18 mi·23 min·US 422; PA 286 Truck
4
Continue on US 422; PA 271
6.2 mi·9 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
5
Continue on US 422
1.6 mi·2 min·Ben Franklin Highway
6
Continue on West High Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West High Street
7
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
8
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi·28 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 22 East: HollidaysburgUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
13
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
15
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
16
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
19
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
207 mi·3 hr 43 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto PA 132
4.0 mi·6 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
1.6 mi·2 min·State Road
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, aim for an early morning departure from Gilpin. With a 5-hour estimated drive time and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider breaking up the 206.7-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with a quick stop for fuel or a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longer highway segments mean fewer immediate options for gas stations. The $49 fuel cost is an estimate, so it’s wise to have a little extra on hand.
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 148.4 miles from Gilpin, PA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.7 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 65 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.4 miles or 2h 54m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Croydon, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gilpin, 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 Gilpin, PA
This is one driving day of about 296.7 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Gilpin, 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 206.7 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 37.5 and 295.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
37.5 mi into trip|~51m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
6
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
290.7 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Take the exit toward PA 132: Street Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 352
Toward PA 132: Street Road
7
295.1 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.31 one way
$94.62 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$52.35
$104.71
premium
$4.81
$56.16
$112.33
diesel
$4.80
$56.02
$112.05
Estimated Tolls: $26.86
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(206.7 mi)$26.86
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
$47
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Breezewood, PA - Lincoln Highway - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.96
$11.87
EV Truck/SUV
118.7
1
$41.54
$18.99
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Gilpin, PA
Night
in Gilpin on Monday
Local time
10:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 20 at 3:53PM EDT until July 22 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 20 at 2:44PM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Croydon, PA
Night
in Croydon on Monday
Local time
10:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 20 at 3:53PM EDT until July 22 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 20 at 2:44PM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
85°F
State Line, PA
148 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
4 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 39m 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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 163.7
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 40.9
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 204.6
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 276.2
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 276.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is an 85% highway drive, so expect continuous interstate travel for the vast majority of your trip. You'll spend the longest stretch, 206.7 miles, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this significant highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the final miles into Croydon. Be prepared for frequent exits and potential merging traffic as you approach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 296.7 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 37.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,035 ft26 ft
Total Climb
1,861 ft
Total Descent
2,999 ft
Highest Point
2,035 ft
~42.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,008 ft
Notable High Points
1,844 ft at ~106 miles+599 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gilpin, PA and Croydon, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 296.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.86 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 18 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.
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 Croydon, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Croydon, PA before the return drive.
