Southmont, PA to Croydon, PA is 249.9 miles and takes about 4h 52m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Pennsylvania. It's a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss, this route should fit the bill, offering a predictable journey to your destination.
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
124.9 miles from Southmont, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m 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
Southmont Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 206.7 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southmont, PA and Croydon, PA.
1
Start on Olive Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Olive Street
2
Continue on Southmont Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Southmont Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Franklin Street
4
Turn right onto Osborne Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Osborne Street
5
Turn right onto PA 403
0.2 mi·30 sec·Central Avenue
6
Turn left onto PA 756
0.7 mi·1 min·Ohio Street
7
Turn left onto Oakland Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Oakland Avenue
8
Turn left onto Penrod Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Penrod Street
9
Turn right onto Bedford Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Bedford Street
10
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
12
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
13
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
14
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
18
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
19
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
22
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
207 mi·3 hr 43 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto PA 132
4.0 mi·6 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
1.6 mi·2 min·State Road
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 52m estimated duration, leaving in the morning should allow you to complete this 249.9-mile drive before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $41, this is a manageable one-day trip. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is over 200 miles, so plan your refueling before you get on it or during any brief exits. Pay attention to any posted speed limits and potential traffic patterns as you approach the Philadelphia area near Croydon.
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 124.9 miles from Southmont, PA, or about 2h 33m 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 55 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Southmont, 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 Southmont, PA
This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Southmont, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 248.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~9m in|Scalp Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
35.6 mi into trip|~54m 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
36.9 mi into trip|~57m 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
243.9 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
248.3 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.85 one way
$79.69 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$44.10
$88.19
premium
$4.81
$47.30
$94.61
diesel
$4.80
$47.19
$94.37
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: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Southmont, PA
Morning
in Southmont on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 3 to 12 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Croydon, PA
Morning
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
SW 5 to 10 mph91% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
3 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
4h 52m 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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 215.4
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 120.6
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...
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 155.1
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
near mile 232.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 84% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, experiencing a long, uninterrupted stretch of 206.7 miles. While the main roads like Pennsylvania Turnpike, Quaker Valley Road, and Clear Shade Drive are largely highways, expect a consistent driving experience for much of the trip. It's designed for efficient travel, prioritizing speed over varied scenery.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 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 249.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 4.6 miles (Scalp Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,390 ft26 ft
Total Climb
1,342 ft
Total Descent
2,903 ft
Highest Point
2,390 ft
~17.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,364 ft
Notable High Points
2,390 ft at ~17.8 miles+803 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southmont, PA and Croydon, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, 41 miles (66 km) west-southwest of Altoona, and 70 miles (110 km) east of Pittsburgh. The Conemaugh River forms at Johnstown from its tributaries, the Stonycreek River and the Little Conemaugh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (Scalp Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.9 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Croydon, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
