Harrisburg, PA to Colebrookdale, PA is 77.6 miles and takes about 1h 48m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. Expect a relatively quick journey with minimal time commitment, perfect for a day trip or a short hop between locations in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
38.7 mi
41m
US 222
10 mi
12m
Boyertown Pike
8.9 mi
15m
I 283
2.7 mi
4m
Penn Avenue
2.5 mi
4m
I 83
2.4 mi
3m
Perkiomen Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Reading Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 38.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and Colebrookdale, 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
Continue on Fisher Plaza
0.2 mi·19 sec·Fisher Plaza
5
Keep slight left at fork onto State Street
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
6
Turn right onto North 13th Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North 13th Street
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 83
2.4 mi·3 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 46AToward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport, LancasterUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 283
2.7 mi·4 min·I 283
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
12
Merge onto I 76; PATP
39 mi·41 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
17
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
18
Continue on US 222
6.7 mi·9 min·US 222
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 422 West, US 422 Business: Lebanon, Pennsylvania AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 422 BUS
2.1 mi·3 min·Penn Avenue
21
Continue on US 422 BUS
0.4 mi·48 sec·Penn Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 422 Business Alternate
0.9 mi·1 min·Penn Street
23
Continue on US 422 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·Perkiomen Avenue
24
Turn left onto Oley Turnpike Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Oley Turnpike Road
25
Continue on Oley Turnpike Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Oley Turnpike Road
26
Turn right onto PA 562
1.0 mi·2 min·Saint Lawrence Avenue
27
Continue on PA 562
8.9 mi·15 min·Boyertown Pike
28
Continue on PA 562
1.5 mi·2 min·Reading Avenue
29
Turn right onto Greshville Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Greshville Road
30
Continue on Greshville Road
0.3 mi·38 sec·Greshville Road
31
Turn right onto Farmington Avenue
102 ft·2 sec·Farmington Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Farmington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under two hours, this trip offers flexibility; you can leave anytime and still arrive with plenty of daylight. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic around Harrisburg. With a fuel cost estimate of around $13, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops for gas, but it’s always wise to top off before embarking on a journey. Keep an eye on signage for US 222 as you transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to ensure a smooth continuation toward Colebrookdale.
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 38.8 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.7 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colebrookdale, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Harrisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Harrisburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 38.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 58.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
4.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
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 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
7
47.4 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
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 US 222: Reading, Ephrata
6
48.4 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 422 West, US 422 Business: Lebanon, Pennsylvania Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 422 West, US 422 Business: Lebanon, P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.87 one way
$25.73 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.09
$28.18
premium
$4.93
$15.05
$30.10
diesel
$5.61
$17.13
$34.27
Estimated Tolls: $5.04
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(38.7 mi)$5.04
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
$13
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.15
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.79
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.86
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Harrisburg, PA
Morning
in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny
SE 2 to 14 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colebrookdale, PA
Morning
in Colebrookdale on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Adamstown, PA
39 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
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 48m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 26.8
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...
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 77.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 70% of the journey taking place on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a period of steady progress. The profile is described as highway-focused, suggesting a consistent pace for most of the trip. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Boyertown Pike indicates a potential shift to slightly more local roads closer to your destination.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 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 77.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 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 Harrisburg, PA and Colebrookdale, PA, road signs point toward Lancaster and Ephrata.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.04 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 Colebrookdale, 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Valley Forge National Historical Park. 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 Colebrookdale, PA before heading back.
