Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Morning in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrisburg, PA to State College, 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 56m
Distance
86.1 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
State College, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Harrisburg to State College, this 86.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the heart of Pennsylvania. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 56 minutes on the road, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $14 for fuel will cover your transit across these two Northeast locations. Navigating via North Cameron Street, US 22, and Boal Avenue, you will find this route is efficient for those moving between the capital city and the university hub. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers the flexibility to head out early or late depending on your personal schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Cameron Street | 53.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Boal Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| South Atherton Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| South Allen Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North 7th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Maclay Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Cameron Street
— 53.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and State College, 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
53 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
7
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 322 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Boal Avenue
Toward US 322 Business: Boalsburg
9
Continue on US 322 Business
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
South Atherton Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto South Allen Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Allen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
South Allen Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids local traffic peaks. Plan to complete the 86.1-mile distance in one go, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination comfortably within two hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Harrisburg, as setting aside $14 for gas ensures you won't need to worry about refueling during the transit. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize checking your navigation system for any real-time updates on North Cameron Street before you pull out of your driveway. Enjoy the freedom of a short trip that allows you to arrive in State College feeling refreshed and ready for your day.
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 43.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near State College, 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 86.1 miles and 1h 56m.
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 North Cameron Street for about 53.1 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 43.1 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 85.3 — 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
|
North 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Maclay Street
Turn right onto Maclay Street
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 22 / North Cameron Street
Turn left onto US 22 / North Cameron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
54 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 22; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, St...
5
85.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
South Allen Street
Turn right onto South Allen Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.27 one way
$28.55 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.63 | $31.27 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.70 | $33.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.01 | $38.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 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 | 25.8 | 0 | $9.04 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.05 | $5.51 |
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
State College, PA
Morning in State College on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 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
1h 56m 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 a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 28% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend much of your time navigating local roads that shift in character as you progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 53.1 miles on North Cameron Street, providing a significant portion of your travel time on a single road. Because this route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, the pace is more variable than a typical high-speed commute. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the technical nature of these roads requires constant navigation through changing road conditions.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.1 mi on North Cameron Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 7th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.6 miles (Maclay Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 22 / North Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,556 ft
332 ft
Total Climb
1,876 ft
Total Descent
1,059 ft
Highest Point
1,556 ft
~73.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,224 ft
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 56m. Total distance: 86.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (28%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.1 miles on North Cameron Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.6 miles (Maclay Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 22 / North Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at State College, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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