This 119.7-mile journey from Stroudsburg, PA to Harrisburg, PA is easily manageable as a one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The route incorporates a mix of roads, including William Penn Highway, US 209, and I-81, offering a varied driving experience. You'll find this drive to be a practical and straightforward option for getting between these two points, with just one recommended stop to break up the drive. It's a solid choice for a quick getaway or a functional transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Stroudsburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
43.1 mi
51m
US 209
25.2 mi
32m
I 81
20.8 mi
25m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
17.1 mi
23m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
North Cameron Street
1.8 mi
3m
Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Herr Street
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 Stroudsburg, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Monroe Street
0.2 mi·55 sec·Monroe Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto PA 611
457 ft·15 sec·North 9th Street
3
Turn right onto US 209 BUS
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 80; US 209
289 ft·4 sec·Keystone Shortway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
25 mi·32 min·US 209
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: SnydersvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
17 mi·23 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 78; US 22
43 mi·51 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 1BToward I 81 South: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 81
21 mi·25 min·I 81
13
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 322
Exit 67A; 67BToward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67AToward US 22 East: Harrisburg, Cameron StreetUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto US 22
1.8 mi·3 min·North Cameron Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Herr Street
17
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·North 7th Street
18
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 33-minute drive, planning your departure time can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Harrisburg. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 119.7 miles, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $20 for the trip, and consider topping off before you leave Stroudsburg. A good tip for this route would be to research the specific conditions on the William Penn Highway section, as it's your longest stretch and may have more local traffic or slower speed limits than the interstate portions.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.9 miles from Stroudsburg, PA, or about 1h 18m 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 4m
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 Stroudsburg, 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 Stroudsburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 119.7 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Stroudsburg, 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 William Penn Highway for about 43.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 116.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 611 / North 9th Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 611 / North 9th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|US 209
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209 toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersvill...
7
26.6 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
6
95 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
9
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
$19.84 one way
$39.69 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.73
$43.47
premium
$4.93
$23.21
$46.43
diesel
$5.61
$26.43
$52.86
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(17.1 mi)$1.20
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.47
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Stroudsburg, PA
Late night
in Stroudsburg on Sunday
Local time
4:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Late night
in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
4:12 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
1 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 33m 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.
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 90.8
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 119.7
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a mixed profile, with 39% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.1 miles along the William Penn Highway, which likely offers a more local feel compared to interstate driving. As you transition between William Penn Highway, US 209, and I-81, expect the road's character to shift, providing a dynamic driving experience that balances efficiency with the opportunity to see more of the landscape. This variety means the drive is unlikely to feel like a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a more engaging transit.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 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?
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 0.2 miles in near PA 611 / North 9th Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 119.7 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 0.2 miles (PA 611 / North 9th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
654 ft332 ft
Total Climb
698 ft
Total Descent
794 ft
Highest Point
654 ft
~17.1 mi in
Elevation Range
322 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stroudsburg, PA to Harrisburg, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Allentown along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 119.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 $1.20 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. 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 0.2 miles (PA 611 / North 9th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.4 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 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.
