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Trip from Harrisburg, PA to Baden, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
228.7 mi
368 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 32m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 48m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harrisburg, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Baden, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Harrisburg, PA to Baden, PA is 228.7 miles and takes about 4h 23m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region of the state to itself. The route is primarily highway driving, suggesting a straightforward trip with minimal complexity. With a recommended one-day drive time and a manageable fuel cost, this is a practical option for a quick transfer or an accessible weekend getaway.
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
114.3 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 208.2 mi | 3h 47m |
| Freedom Crider Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| North 32nd Street | 4 mi | 6m |
| Freedom Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Ohio River Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Crows Run Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Taylor Bridge Bypass | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Cumberland Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 208.2 mi, about 3h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and Baden, PA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
89 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
209 ft
·
7 sec
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on North 7th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
4
Turn right
422 ft
·
10 sec
5
Turn straight onto Forster Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Forster Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on M. Harvey Taylor Bridge
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
M. Harvey Taylor Bridge
7
Continue on Taylor Bridge Bypass
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Taylor Bridge Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 11; US 15
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 11; US 15
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North 32nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 76; PATP
208 mi
·
3 hr 47 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 28
Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
15
Turn slight left
149 ft
·
5 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Perry Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Freedom Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Freedom Crider Road
19
Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road
98 ft
·
1 sec
·
Freedom Crider Road
20
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Freedom Crider Road
21
Turn straight onto Crows Run Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Crows Run Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 65
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ohio River Boulevard
23
Turn slight left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
24
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m estimated drive time, departing Harrisburg in the morning allows ample time to reach Baden before evening. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Consider a brief stop along the Pennsylvania Turnpike for fuel or a stretch, though the longest stretch is over 200 miles, so planning for a break around the halfway point might be wise. The fuel cost estimate of $38 is helpful for budgeting, and you'll want to ensure your tank is full before heading onto the Turnpike.
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 114.3 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208.2 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baden, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 228.7 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Harrisburg, 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 208.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.3 miles from Harrisburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 208.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
South Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
New Stanton Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.9 — 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
|
North 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
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 76, PATP: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
7
8.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
216.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
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 28
Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendal...
7
216.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.25 one way
$80.50 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $44.01 | $88.02 |
| premium | $5.23 | $47.05 | $94.11 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $55.64 | $111.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.07
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(208.2 mi)
$27.07
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: 80 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.01 | $10.98 |
| Efficient EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.5 | 1 | $32.02 | $14.64 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Morning in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear then Areas Of Frost
N 2 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:11PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:21PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Baden, PA
Morning in Baden on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
30°F
Widespread Frost
N 0 to 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:11PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:21PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
38°F
Berlin, PA
114 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
5 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 23m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 15.8
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 126.2
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 102.5
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
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 predominantly highway, with 91% of the 228.7 miles on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, covering a continuous stretch of 208.2 miles. Expect the highway to conclude around mile 208.2, transitioning to surface roads like Freedom Crider Road and North 32nd Street for the final leg into Baden. The high highway percentage means you'll likely encounter frequent exits and interchanges for a significant portion of the drive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 208.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Freedom Crider Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 7th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.7 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: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,368 ft
332 ft
Total Climb
2,636 ft
Total Descent
2,184 ft
Highest Point
2,368 ft
~130.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,036 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harrisburg, PA and Baden, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
Pittsburgh
216.7 mi in
|
~4h 3m
Warrendale
216.7 mi in
|
~4h 3m
Cranberry
216.7 mi in
|
~4h 3m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Baden, PA
Full guide →Founded 1838
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 4h 23m. Total distance: 228.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 208.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $27.07 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Baden, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Baden, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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