Sugarcreek, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 215.8 miles and takes about 4h 38m via General Potter Highway and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. Expect a route that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience than a pure interstate trip. With a single recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
107.9 miles from Sugarcreek, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
General Potter Highway
78.2 mi
1h 40m
Keystone Shortway
52 mi
55m
US Highway 322
17.2 mi
25m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Main Street
6.1 mi
9m
Port Matilda Highway
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
General Potter Highway
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sugarcreek, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on Causeway Drive
63 ft·2 sec·Causeway Drive
2
Continue on Sugarcreek Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Sugarcreek Drive
3
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·19 sec·this road
4
Continue on Sugarcreek Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Sugarcreek Drive
5
Turn straight onto US 322
1.3 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
6
Continue on US 322
1.2 mi·2 min·Grant Street
7
Turn right onto US 322
0.3 mi·47 sec·Meadville Pike
8
Continue on US 322
0.2 mi·48 sec·13th Street
9
Turn left onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·15 sec·8th Street
11
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·Lakes To the Sea Highway
12
Continue on US 322
4.8 mi·7 min·US Highway 322
13
Continue on US 322
2.7 mi·4 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
14
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
15
Continue on US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·Main Street
16
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
17
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
18
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
19
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
21
Merge onto I 80
52 mi·55 min·Keystone Shortway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
23
Merge onto PA 970
1.4 mi·1 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
25
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
26
Continue on US 322
0.3 mi·23 sec·North Front Street
27
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Centre Street
28
Turn left onto US 322
1.1 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
29
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
30
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
31
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
32
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
33
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.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi·8 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
35
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
78 mi·1 hr 40 min·General Potter Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Herr Street
38
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·North 7th Street
39
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Sugarcreek in the morning allows ample time to reach Harrisburg before evening. While only one stop is recommended, consider breaking up the 78.2-mile stretch on General Potter Highway for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $36 and amenities can be spread out on the surface road sections. This route is manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart later or linger longer at your starting point without pressure.
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 107.9 miles from Sugarcreek, PA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 48m
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 Sugarcreek, 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 Sugarcreek, PA
This is one driving day of about 215.8 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sugarcreek, 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 General Potter Highway for about 78.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 128.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.1 mi into trip|~8m in|US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Turn left onto US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
5
92.8 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|PA 970 / Shawville Highway
Merge onto PA 970 / Shawville Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
124.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.78 one way
$71.55 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.18
$78.37
premium
$4.93
$41.85
$83.70
diesel
$5.61
$47.65
$95.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.66
$10.36
Efficient EV
54
0
$18.88
$8.63
EV Truck/SUV
86.3
1
$30.21
$13.81
Gas CO2
76 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Sugarcreek, PA
Afternoon
in Sugarcreek on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Afternoon
in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers Likely
N 6 to 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 3:52AM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 1:11AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 38m 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.
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 215.8
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 215.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 15% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. Your longest continuous stretch on a single road is 78.2 miles on General Potter Highway. After the highway sections, you'll transition to surface roads for the majority of your travel. This profile suggests a drive with frequent transitions and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through various towns and rural areas.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.2 mi on General Potter Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street.
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 215.8 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 4.1 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.8 miles (PA 970 / Shawville Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sugarcreek, PA and Harrisburg, PA, road signs point toward Shawville and State College.
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 4h 38m. Total distance: 215.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.2 miles on General Potter Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 4.1 miles (US 62; US 322; PA 8 / Liberty Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.8 miles (PA 970 / Shawville Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Harrisburg, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
