Traveling from the charming hills of Jim Thorpe to Croydon is a straightforward journey spanning 87.4 miles. You can expect to complete this drive in approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, keeping your travel time efficient. Budgeting about $14 for fuel will cover the trip, which stays entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Because this is a direct, highway-focused drive, it offers a practical way to connect these two points without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto PA 132
4.0 mi·6 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
1.6 mi·2 min·State Road
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 44-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Because you don't have any mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 87.4-mile trip in one go. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on the turnpike system, so ensure you have your toll payment method ready before you hit the road. If you prefer to avoid heavy traffic, try planning your departure during mid-morning or early afternoon hours. This route's simplicity is its greatest strength, so enjoy the ease of a drive that lets you reach your destination without the need for complex planning.
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 43.7 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 43.7 miles or 52m 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 25m
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 Jim Thorpe, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 87.4 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 55.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 85.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
6
7.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
63.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
7
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.49 one way
$28.98 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.87
$31.74
premium
$4.93
$16.95
$33.90
diesel
$5.61
$19.30
$38.59
Estimated Tolls: $9.57
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(73.6 mi)$9.57
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
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.18
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.24
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Jim Thorpe, PA
Morning
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Croydon, PA
Morning
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
7:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
10 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 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 84% of the distance spent on high-speed highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which provides the longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.6 miles. While the drive is heavy on interstate travel, it eventually transitions onto Street Road as you approach your destination in Croydon. Behind the wheel, you should anticipate a consistent pace that favors quick transit over winding backroads. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity between your starting point and your arrival.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 63.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
767 ft26 ft
Total Climb
420 ft
Total Descent
1,117 ft
Highest Point
767 ft
~12.5 mi in
Elevation Range
740 ft
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 Jim Thorpe, PA to Croydon, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 87.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.57 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 Croydon, 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 63.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Croydon, PA before heading back.
