Union City, PA to Harrisburg, PA is 248.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m via General Potter Highway, Keystone Shortway, and Colonel Drake Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a predominantly surface road experience. You'll find this route is best suited for a single day of driving, with most of the travel occurring on local and state roads rather than interstates. Consider this drive if you prefer a more grounded perspective of the landscape over high-speed highway travel.
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
124.1 miles from Union City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
General Potter Highway
78.2 mi
1h 40m
Keystone Shortway
52 mi
55m
Colonel Drake Highway
13.5 mi
19m
William Flinn Highway
12.4 mi
16m
Route 208
12.3 mi
18m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
General Potter Highway
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,036 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,332
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, PA and Harrisburg, PA.
1
Start on US 6; PA 8
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on PA 8
3.1 mi·4 min·Titusville Road
3
Continue on PA 8
7.8 mi·10 min·William Flinn Highway
4
Continue on PA 8
1.6 mi·2 min·Erie Street
5
Continue on PA 8
4.6 mi·6 min·William Flinn Highway
6
Continue on PA 8
3.0 mi·4 min·Hydetown Road
7
Continue on PA 8
1.3 mi·3 min·West Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on PA 27
0.1 mi·21 sec·Diamond Street
9
Turn straight onto PA 27
2.1 mi·4 min·East Central Avenue
10
Continue on PA 27
2.6 mi·3 min·Titusville Road
11
Continue on PA 27; PA 227
1.3 mi·1 min·West State Street
12
Continue on PA 36
4.4 mi·6 min·Tionesta Road
13
Continue on PA 36
4.5 mi·6 min·Colonel Drake Highway
14
Turn left onto US 62; PA 36
0.3 mi·27 sec·Route 36 and 62
15
At end of road, turn right onto PA 36
0.5 mi·48 sec·Elm Street
16
Continue on PA 36
9.0 mi·13 min·Colonel Drake Highway
17
Continue on PA 208
5.0 mi·7 min·Route 208
18
Continue on PA 208
7.2 mi·10 min·Route 208
19
Continue on PA 208
0.4 mi·40 sec·North School Street
20
Turn left onto US 322
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
21
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
22
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
23
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
24
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
52 mi·55 min·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
28
Merge onto PA 970
1.4 mi·1 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
30
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
31
Continue on US 322
0.3 mi·23 sec·North Front Street
32
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Centre Street
33
Turn left onto US 322
1.1 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
34
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
35
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
36
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
37
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
38
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.
39
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
40
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
78 mi·1 hr 40 min·General Potter Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Turn right onto Herr Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·Herr Street
43
Turn right onto North 7th Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·North 7th Street
44
Arrive at destination
North 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 26m estimated drive time, leaving Union City in the morning should allow you to reach Harrisburg with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition away from highway segments; the $42 estimated fuel cost is a good baseline. The longest stretch on General Potter Highway is over 78 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before needing a break. This route is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up near the mid-point.
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 124.1 miles from Union City, PA, or about 2h 45m 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 55 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 45m 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 28m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, PA
This is one driving day of about 248.3 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Union City, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 160.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 6; PA 8 / North Main Street
Depart onto US 6; PA 8 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
125 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
125.4 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
156.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
160.7 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
$39.59 one way
$79.18 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$43.81
$87.63
premium
$4.81
$47.00
$94.00
diesel
$4.80
$46.88
$93.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 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
74.5
0
$26.07
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.73
$9.93
EV Truck/SUV
99.3
1
$34.76
$15.89
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
Union City, PA
Morning
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Smoke then Patchy Smoke
W 9 to 14 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:29AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Harrisburg, PA
Morning
in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Smoke
S 3 to 9 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:29AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
4 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
5h 26m 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 248.3
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 248.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only 11% on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous driving on General Potter Highway for 78.2 miles. Expect the highway portion to conclude relatively early in your drive, transitioning to a more rural cruising experience on surface roads for the majority of the 248.3 miles. The profile suggests a consistent pace without frequent, rapid exits common on major interstates.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
44 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 6; PA 8 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 248.3 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: near the start (US 6; PA 8 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.4 miles (PA 970 / Shawville Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,049 ft332 ft
Total Climb
1,980 ft
Total Descent
2,912 ft
Highest Point
2,049 ft
~141.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,716 ft
Notable High Points
2,049 ft at ~141.9 miles+654 ft prominence
1,712 ft at ~177.3 miles+611 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union City, 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.
Top landmarks
•Pennsylvania State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
•Cathedral of Saint Patrick — cathedral of the Catholic Church in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United St...
•Harrisburg Transportation Center — intermodal station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 248.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m 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.
Yes — we found about 14 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 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 6; PA 8 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.4 miles (PA 970 / Shawville Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Harrisburg, PA before the return drive.
