Origin
Sterling, PA
Morning in Sterling on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling, PA to Haverford, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
215 mi
346 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling, PA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Sterling, PA to Haverford, PA is 215 miles and takes about 4h 34m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and General Potter Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. Expect a mixed drive that blends highway speeds with potentially slower local road sections. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward journey without the need for an overnight stay. It offers a practical way to cover a significant distance within 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
107.5 miles from Sterling, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 78.4 mi | 1h 24m |
| General Potter Highway | 75.6 mi | 1h 35m |
| 28th Division Highway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| US 322 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| West Montgomery Avenue | 4.3 mi | 9m |
| I 99 | 4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, PA and Haverford, PA.
1
Start on Sterling Avenue
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Sterling Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto PA 53
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring Street
3
Continue on PA 53
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sarah Street
4
Turn left onto Elizabeth Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Elizabeth Street
5
Turn right onto Kate Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Kate Street
6
Turn left onto PA 53
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Stone Street
7
Continue on PA 53
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Walton Street
8
Continue on PA 53
480 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Maple Street
9
Turn left onto PA 53
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Front Street
10
Turn slight right onto PA 53
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Presqueisle Street
11
Turn right onto US 322
522 ft
·
12 sec
·
Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
12
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
13
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Upper Flat Rock Road
14
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Flat Rock Road
15
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
18
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
76 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
General Potter Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
22
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
US 322
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Use the slight left lane.
25
Continue on I 283
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 283
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
27
Merge onto I 76; PATP
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto I 76
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 76
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 330
Toward PA 320: Gulph Mills
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
340 ft
·
9 sec
Toward PA 320 South: Villanova
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto PA 320
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Gulph Road
32
Continue on PA 320
4.3 mi
·
9 min
·
West Montgomery Avenue
33
Turn left onto Woodside Road
525 ft
·
23 sec
·
Woodside Road
34
Turn left onto Winsor Lane
343 ft
·
18 sec
·
Winsor Lane
35
Turn left
10 ft
·
0 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 34-minute estimated drive time and the recommendation for a single day, an early morning departure from Sterling, PA, is advisable to maximize daylight. While the drive is manageable in one go, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed; the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is substantial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto less prominent highways, as services might be more spaced out. The $36 fuel cost estimate is a helpful budget marker for this 215-mile trip.
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 107.5 miles from Sterling, PA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 2h 22m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haverford, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sterling, 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 Sterling, PA
This is one driving day of about 215 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sterling, 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 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.5 miles from Sterling, 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 78.4 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 32.1 and 205.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
32.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
7
116.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...
9
119.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
8
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
8
205.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.64 one way
$71.29 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.04 | $78.08 |
| premium | $4.93 | $41.70 | $83.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.47 | $94.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.20
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.4 mi)
$10.20
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
$36
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.58 | $10.32 |
| Efficient EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.81 | $8.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86 | 1 | $30.10 | $13.76 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Haverford, PA
Morning in Haverford on Sunday
Local time
8:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Middlesex, PA
108 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
15 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 34m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 207.6
View on nps.gov
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
~22 min detour
$1
near mile 215
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
near mile 215
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 148.3
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 111.2
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 192.8
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 presents a mixed driving experience, with 47% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 78.4 miles, which will allow for consistent speed. As you transition to roads like General Potter Highway and 28th Division Highway, expect the character of the drive to change, likely involving more local traffic and varied speed limits. The profile suggests a blend of efficient highway travel and more nuanced navigation on state and local roads.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.1 miles in near US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 215 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 32.1 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.5 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Sterling, PA and Haverford, PA, road signs point toward State College, Hazleton, Carlisle and York.
State College
32.1 mi in
|
~45m
|
via US 322
Hazleton
116.5 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 322
Carlisle
116.5 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 322
York
119.3 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via US 322
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 215 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.20 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Haverford, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.1 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.5 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Haverford, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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