Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Late night in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrisburg, PA to Northampton, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
86.3 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northampton, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Harrisburg to Northampton is 86.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically in Pennsylvania. Given its relatively short duration and local road profile, expect a more hands-on driving experience compared to interstate travel. It's a straightforward, same-day trip perfect for when you want to reach your destination without a lengthy journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 42.8 mi | 50m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 20.9 mi | 25m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| North Cameron Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| MacArthur Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 42.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and Northampton, PA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
89 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
4
Turn right onto Maclay Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Maclay Street
5
Turn left onto US 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
11
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
12
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
Toward PA 145: MacArthur Road, 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
166 ft
·
7 sec
Toward PA 145 North: Whitehall
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto PA 145
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
MacArthur Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Mickley Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mickley Road
18
Continue on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
19
Turn left onto Pine Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pine Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto Front Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
21
Turn right onto Eugene Street
356 ft
·
9 sec
·
Eugene Street
22
Continue on Cypress Street
432 ft
·
13 sec
·
Cypress Street
23
Turn left onto 4th Street
510 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street
24
Turn right onto Main Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under two hours and doesn't involve highways, you have a lot of flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Harrisburg in the morning or early afternoon should allow ample time to reach Northampton before evening. You won't need to plan for extensive breaks, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest stretch without a major turn is over 40 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, so plan accordingly for your refill before you depart or if you see a favorable price along the way.
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 43.2 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 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 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northampton, 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 86.3 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Harrisburg, 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 42.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.2 miles from Harrisburg, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 81.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown
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 I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Car...
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allen...
9
74.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
7
81 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward PA 145: MacArthur Road, 7th Street
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 PA 145: MacArthur Road, 7th Street
8
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 145 North: Whitehall
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward PA 145 North: Whitehall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.31 one way
$28.61 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.67 | $31.34 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.74 | $33.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.45
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(6.5 mi)
$0.45
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
$14
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.06 | $4.14 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Northampton, PA
Late night in Northampton on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Kutztown, PA
43 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
20 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 51m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 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...
16 mi from route
~40 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 route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a 'turn-heavy local drive.' With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the entire 86.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.8 miles on William Penn Highway. Expect a varied driving experience as you move through different communities, with numerous opportunities to engage with the local landscape rather than a high-speed transit.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.8 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 around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.3 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Harrisburg, PA to Northampton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Lvi Airport along the way.
Lvi Airport
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Harrisburg, PA
Full guide →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.
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 51m. Total distance: 86.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.8 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.45 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 Northampton, 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Northampton, 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.
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