Origin
Kingston, PA
Morning in Kingston on Tuesday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingston, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
105.4 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingston, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kingston, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 105.4 miles and takes about 2h 11m via I 81, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the same region. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly highway, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. Given the short duration, it's an easy same-day excursion, perfect for a weekend getaway or a mid-week travel day without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Kingston, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 97.9 mi | 1h 54m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Market Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Hazle Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Blackman Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Herr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 322 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingston, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on this road
79 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Market Street
190 ft
·
9 sec
·
Market Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Market Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Market Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Market Street
5
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
322 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Main Street
6
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
7
Turn left onto Hazle Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hazle Street
8
Turn left onto Blackman Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Blackman Street
9
Turn right onto PA 309
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
11
Merge onto I 81
98 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
16
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
17
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2h 11m drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach Harrisburg, with a fuel cost estimated around $17. Since the longest stretch on I 81 is 97.9 miles, you could technically do the whole trip without a stop, but taking a brief break around the halfway point might be more comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Harrisburg, as services can sometimes be more spread out on the final approach.
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 52.7 miles from Kingston, PA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.9 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kingston, 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 Kingston, PA
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Kingston, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 97.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Kingston, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.9 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 102.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.47 one way
$34.95 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.44 | $40.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.27 | $46.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.22 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Morning in Harrisburg on Tuesday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
East Franklin, PA
53 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
16 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
2h 11m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 79.9
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
near mile 105.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 93% of this 105.4-mile route on I 81, which includes a continuous stretch of 97.9 miles. This means you'll be on the highway for the vast majority of your drive. The transition to surface streets like North Cameron Street and Market Street will happen closer to your destination in Harrisburg. Be prepared for a high volume of highway exits and entrances as you navigate this section.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and North Cameron Street. 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 Market Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 105.4 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 (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,752 ft
332 ft
Total Climb
1,629 ft
Total Descent
1,834 ft
Highest Point
1,752 ft
~30.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,420 ft
About the Cities
Arriving 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
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 2h 11m. Total distance: 105.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.9 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Harrisburg, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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