Oakland, PA to Croydon, PA is 246.8 miles and takes about 4h 46m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day duration, it’s a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll find this route practical for a quick relocation or a direct transit between two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123.4 miles from Oakland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
206.7 mi
3h 43m
Quaker Valley Road
14.2 mi
20m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Street Road
4 mi
6m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
I 99
2.2 mi
2m
State Road
1.6 mi
2m
Bedford Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 206.7 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, PA and Croydon, PA.
1
Start on Ferg Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Ferg Street
2
Turn left onto Bedford Street
1.1 mi·1 min·Bedford Street
3
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
5
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
6
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
7
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
9
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
11
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
12
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
15
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
207 mi·3 hr 43 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
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
For this 4h 46m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion. With a total distance of 246.8 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day, so flexibility is on your side. Plan for one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $40, and it's always wise to top off before hitting longer stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 123.4 miles from Oakland, PA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.7 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 54 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, PA
This is one driving day of about 246.8 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Oakland, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 206.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 245.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|Scalp Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
32.4 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
6
33.8 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
240.8 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
245.2 mi into trip|~4h 43m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.27 one way
$80.53 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$44.28
$88.56
premium
$4.86
$47.25
$94.50
diesel
$5.40
$52.50
$105.00
Estimated Tolls: $26.86
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(206.7 mi)$26.86
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
$40
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.80
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 26, 2026
Origin
Oakland, PA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Patchy Drizzle
NE 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain
NE 10 to 15 mph98% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 46m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 212.7
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 110.6
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 8.5
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 153.2
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
near mile 229.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this drive is highway cruising, with 85% of the 246.8 miles on high-speed roads, primarily the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 206.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads like Quaker Valley Road and Clear Shade Drive. Expect dense exits and merges as you navigate this predominantly highway route.
85% 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: 206.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Quaker Valley Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near Scalp Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 246.8 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: at 1.5 miles (Scalp Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Oakland, PA and Croydon, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 246.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.86 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (Scalp Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Croydon, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
