Origin
Lock Haven, PA
Late night in Lock Haven on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lock Haven, 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 25m
Distance
109.8 mi
177 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lock Haven, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Lock Haven to Harrisburg covers 108.7 miles of Pennsylvania landscape, a trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the transit comfortably. Navigating through the Northeast region, you will rely primarily on local roads like East Church Street, North Jay Street, and Paul Mack Boulevard rather than major interstates. It is a practical, direct connection that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.9 miles from Lock Haven, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 33.2 mi | 36m |
| US 11 | 32.9 mi | 45m |
| Benvenue Road | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| PA 147 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| Appalachian Throughway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| US 15 | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| Paul Mack Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Herr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 33.2 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lock Haven, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Mill Street
296 ft
·
18 sec
·
Mill Street
2
Turn left onto PA 150
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Church Street
3
Turn right onto PA 120
340 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Jay Street
4
Continue on PA 120
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Paul Mack Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 220 South: Milesburg, State College
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 220
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Appalachian Throughway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
33 mi
·
36 min
·
Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 212A
Toward PA 147 South: Milton
11
Merge onto PA 147
12 mi
·
13 min
·
PA 147
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on County Line Road
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
County Line Road
13
Turn right onto US 15
6.3 mi
·
11 min
·
US 15
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 11; US 15
33 mi
·
45 min
·
US 11; US 15
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Harrisburg
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 22 East, US 322 East: Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 22; US 322
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Benvenue Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
18
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
19
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 108.7-mile route, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time based on your own schedule. Because the drive involves a turn-heavy local profile, try to avoid peak commuting hours if you prefer a quieter, less congested experience on the local streets. You don't need to worry about complex refueling logistics, but keeping that $17 fuel estimate in mind will help you keep your budget on track. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 1 hour and 58-minute trip, feel free to build in your own breaks along the local roads if you need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on local streets like Paul Mack Boulevard means you will be making frequent turns throughout the duration of your trip.
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 54.9 miles from Lock Haven, PA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.2 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.9 miles or 1h 4m 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 55m
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 Lock Haven, 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 Lock Haven, PA
This is one driving day of about 109.8 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Lock Haven, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 33.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.9 miles from Lock Haven, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 93.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 150 / East Church Street
Turn left onto PA 150 / East Church Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 220 South: Milesburg, State College
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 220 South: Milesburg, State College
6
42 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 147 South: Milton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 212A
Toward PA 147 South: Milton
7
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
US 11; US 15
Take the exit onto US 11; US 15 toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Harrisburg
7
93.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward US 22 East, US 322 East: Harrisburg
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 22 East, US 322 East: Harrisburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.20 one way
$36.41 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.94 | $39.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.29 | $42.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.53 | $5.27 |
| Efficient EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.61 | $4.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.37 | $7.03 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Late night in Harrisburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 7 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
26 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 25m 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.
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 98.5
View on nps.gov
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 106
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features zero percent highway travel, requiring your full attention as you navigate local thoroughfares. You will find that there is no single long-distance stretch on this path, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on East Church Street. This character makes the drive feel more like a series of connected local transitions than a high-speed transit. Prepare for a constant rhythm of turns and adjustments as you navigate the 108.7-mile distance.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 150 / East Church Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 109.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 150 / East Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,607 ft
332 ft
Total Climb
1,171 ft
Total Descent
1,398 ft
Highest Point
1,607 ft
~15.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,275 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lock Haven, PA
Full guide →Founded 1769
Lock Haven is a city in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The city is the county seat of Clinton County.
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 25m. Total distance: 109.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Harrisburg, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 150 / East Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. 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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