Origin
Plymouth, PA
Afternoon in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, 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 12m
Distance
105.9 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Plymouth, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 105.9 miles and takes about 2h 12m via I 81, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip entirely within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, making it ideal for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on I 81, a major interstate designed for efficient travel. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a convenient option for moving between these two points without needing an overnight stay. The fuel cost is quite manageable, making it an economical choice.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.9 miles from Plymouth, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 97.9 mi | 1h 54m |
| North Cameron Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Blackman Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Carey Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West End Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Horton Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Herr Street | 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 Plymouth, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on West Railroad Street
140 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto South Center Avenue
227 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Center Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 11
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Carey Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Carey Avenue
5
Continue on West End Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West End Road
6
Turn left onto Carey Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Carey Avenue
7
Turn right onto Horton Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Horton Street
8
Continue on Blackman Street
1.4 mi
·
3 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
Since this trip is just over 2 hours and covers 105.9 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning is a good way to ensure you have plenty of daylight to complete the drive comfortably, especially since there are no recommended stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 98 miles on I 81, so plan to take a break before or after this long segment if you need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel level as you approach Harrisburg, as gas stations can become less frequent on the interstate itself.
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 52.9 miles from Plymouth, PA, or about 1h 7m 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 52.9 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, PA
This is one driving day of about 105.9 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Plymouth, 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 52.9 miles from Plymouth, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 103.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 11 / East Main Street
Turn right onto US 11 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
102.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m 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
102.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
5
103.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
US 22 / North Cameron Street
Merge onto US 22 / North Cameron Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.56 one way
$35.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.23 | $38.46 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.54 | $41.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.38 | $46.76 |
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: 37.1 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 | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.83 | $6.78 |
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
Afternoon in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 7 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
42°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
38 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 12m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 80.3
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 105.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of it being on major roadways like I 81. Expect a consistent experience for the majority of your journey, especially during the longest stretch of 97.9 miles on I 81. The profile suggests a generally smooth and direct path, minimizing complex turns or slower local roads. While the main roads include North Cameron Street and Blackman Street, these are likely brief transitions within the cities at either end, with I 81 dominating the driving experience.
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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and North Cameron Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 11 / East Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 105.9 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 0.1 miles (US 11 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 12m. Total distance: 105.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m 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.
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 (US 11 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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