Origin
Prospect Park, PA
Morning in Prospect Park on Sunday
Local time
10:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prospect Park, 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 13m
Distance
100.7 mi
162 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prospect Park, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Prospect Park to Harrisburg is 100.7 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, Darby Paoli Road, and Sproul Road, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to its capital. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a straightforward trip ideal for a single-day journey. The majority of this route involves highway driving, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Plan for a consistent pace, as there are no recommended stops included in this data.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Prospect Park, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 72.1 mi | 1h 17m |
| Darby Paoli Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Sproul Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| I 283 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Woodland Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| East Lancaster Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Newtown Street Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West Chester Pike | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 72.1 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prospect Park, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Maryland Avenue
425 ft
·
20 sec
·
Maryland Avenue
2
Turn right onto PA 420
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
3
Continue on PA 420
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Kedron Avenue
4
Continue on PA 420
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Woodland Avenue
5
Turn right onto PA 320
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Sproul Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn straight onto Springfield Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto PA 3
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto PA 252
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Newtown Street Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 252
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Darby Paoli Road
10
Turn left onto Darby Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Darby Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 30
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East Lancaster Avenue
12
Turn right onto PA 29
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morehall Road
13
Continue on PA 29
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Morehall Road
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harrisburg
Use the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 283
19
Keep slight left at fork
2.7 mi
·
3 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 44B
Toward 17th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
293 ft
·
7 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto South 17th Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 17th Street
23
Turn left onto Derry Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Derry Street
24
Turn right onto South 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 13th Street
25
Turn left onto State Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Street
26
Continue on Fisher Plaza
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Fisher Plaza
27
Keep slight right at fork onto North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
28
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over two hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive with plenty of time to explore Harrisburg. The longest stretch is over 72 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this section. While no stops are specified, consider a brief break around the halfway point if needed, especially since much of the drive is on the Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Pennsylvania Turnpike; services can be spaced out on this highway.
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 50.3 miles from Prospect Park, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.1 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 22 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 1h 13m 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 Prospect Park, 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 Prospect Park, PA
This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Prospect Park, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 72.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Prospect Park, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.1 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 19.6 and 98.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
19.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the ramp toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harrisburg
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harr...
7
19.9 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
8
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
7
98.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward 17th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44B
Toward 17th Street
7
98.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.69 one way
$33.39 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $18.28 | $36.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.53 | $39.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.23 | $44.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.38
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(72.1 mi)
$9.38
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
$17
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.57 | $4.83 |
| Efficient EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.81 | $4.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.10 | $6.44 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Morning in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
10:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
11 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 13m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 23.1
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
$1
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 80.8
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 3.8
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 111.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route utilizing higher-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 72.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent, uninterrupted driving experience. Before and after this main highway segment, you'll navigate local roads like Darby Paoli Road and Sproul Road, which will likely involve more varied speeds and potentially more traffic. Expect a blend of efficient highway travel and more typical suburban road conditions as you transition between these segments.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Darby Paoli Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.6 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 100.7 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 19.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Prospect Park, PA and Harrisburg, PA, road signs point toward Patp Toll and Hershey.
Patp Toll
19.6 mi in
|
~39m
Hershey
92.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
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 13m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.38 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.
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 19.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). 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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