Origin
Palmer Heights, PA
Afternoon in Palmer Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer Heights, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
96 mi
154 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer Heights, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Traveling from Palmer Heights to Harrisburg covers a 96-mile distance and typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable excursion within Pennsylvania. Your path will take you across the Northeast region, transitioning from the Lehigh Valley area toward the state capital. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to power through or take breaks at your own pace. Overall, this is a straightforward transit that connects two distinct parts of the state without requiring a massive time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from Palmer Heights, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 43.1 mi | 51m |
| I 81 | 20.8 mi | 25m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 19.7 mi | 26m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Northampton Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Herr Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 322 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 43.1 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer Heights, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on North Greenwood Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Greenwood Avenue
2
Turn left onto Northampton Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Northampton Street
3
Turn left onto Sales Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Sales Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
402 ft
·
18 sec
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem
5
Merge onto US 22
20 mi
·
26 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
51 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 81
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 81
10
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
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67A
Toward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Herr Street
14
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North 7th Street
15
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic, especially since the route features significant local road segments. While the 2-hour duration is manageable, keep your $15 fuel budget in mind before you head out so you can fill up at the most convenient point. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility; you can easily complete the drive in one sitting without needing a rigid itinerary. Pay extra attention to the frequent turns noted in the route profile to ensure you stay on course during the local road portions. By staying alert through the turn-heavy sections, you can make the transition between the Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg a stress-free experience.
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 48 miles from Palmer Heights, PA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 1h 1m 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 38m
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 Palmer Heights, 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 Palmer Heights, PA
This is one driving day of about 96 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Palmer Heights, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 43.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48 miles from Palmer Heights, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 93.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Sales Street
Turn left onto Sales Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Merge onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
6
92.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
$15.92 one way
$31.83 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.43 | $34.86 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.62 | $37.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.20 | $42.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(19.7 mi)
$1.38
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
| Efficient EV | 24 | 0 | $8.40 | $3.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Afternoon in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 6 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
68°F
Kutztown, PA
48 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
5 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
2h 2m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 66.2
View on nps.gov
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 96
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 demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 22% of this route consists of highway travel, as you navigate a mix of the Lehigh Valley Thruway, I-81, and the William Penn Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 43.1-mile segment along the William Penn Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires you to frequently adjust to changing road conditions. You will find that the personality of the drive shifts as you move between local roads and the faster, more structured sections of the highway system.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.1 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Sales Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 96 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 0.6 miles (Sales Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 2m. Total distance: 96 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.1 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.38 in tolls one way, starting with Lehigh Valley Thruway. 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 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 0.6 miles (Sales Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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