Waterford to Croydon is 387.2 miles and takes about 7h 39m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region before heading east. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day trip if you get an early start. The estimated fuel cost and duration suggest it's a practical option for a single day of driving without excessive expense.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.6 miles from Waterford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
205.8 mi
3h 43m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18 mi
19m
Colonel Drake Highway
13.5 mi
19m
William Flinn Highway
12.4 mi
16m
Route 208
12.3 mi
18m
PA-97
6.9 mi
8m
Titusville Road
5.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 205.8 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,479
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Waterford, PA and Croydon, PA.
1
Start on US 19; PA 97
0.4 mi·52 sec·High Street
2
Continue on US 19; PA 97
0.2 mi·30 sec·Route 19
3
Enter roundabout onto PA 97
187 ft·2 sec·PA-97
4
Continue on PA 97
6.9 mi·8 min·PA-97
5
Continue on PA 97
0.5 mi·54 sec·Waterford Street
6
Turn straight onto PA 97
0.2 mi·25 sec·Perry Street
7
Turn right onto PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 8
3.1 mi·4 min·Titusville Road
9
Continue on PA 8
7.8 mi·10 min·William Flinn Highway
10
Continue on PA 8
1.6 mi·2 min·Erie Street
11
Continue on PA 8
4.6 mi·6 min·William Flinn Highway
12
Continue on PA 8
3.0 mi·4 min·Hydetown Road
13
Continue on PA 8
1.3 mi·3 min·West Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on PA 27
0.1 mi·21 sec·Diamond Street
15
Turn straight onto PA 27
2.1 mi·4 min·East Central Avenue
16
Continue on PA 27
2.6 mi·3 min·Titusville Road
17
Continue on PA 27; PA 227
1.3 mi·1 min·West State Street
18
Continue on PA 36
4.4 mi·6 min·Tionesta Road
19
Continue on PA 36
4.5 mi·6 min·Colonel Drake Highway
20
Turn left onto US 62; PA 36
0.3 mi·27 sec·Route 36 and 62
21
At end of road, turn right onto PA 36
0.5 mi·48 sec·Elm Street
22
Continue on PA 36
9.0 mi·13 min·Colonel Drake Highway
23
Continue on PA 208
5.0 mi·7 min·Route 208
24
Continue on PA 208
7.2 mi·10 min·Route 208
25
Continue on PA 208
0.4 mi·40 sec·North School Street
26
Turn left onto US 322
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
27
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
28
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
29
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
30
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
32
Merge onto I 80
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn left onto PA 132
4.0 mi·6 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
1.6 mi·2 min·State Road
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
State Road
Trip Plan
For this 7h 39m drive, aim to depart Waterford early, ideally by 7 AM, to comfortably complete the 387.2 miles before dark. With only two recommended stops, you can plan for roughly one break every 3-4 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway stretches, as services can be spaced out. The estimated $63 fuel cost is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Given it's a single-day trip, flexibility is key; adjust your stops based on your energy levels and traffic conditions.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.6 miles from Waterford, PA, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.8 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 85 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.6 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
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 Waterford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waterford, PA
This is one driving day of about 387.2 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Waterford, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 205.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 385.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|PA 97 / PA-97
Enter roundabout onto PA 97 / PA-97
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
288.1 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
362.9 mi into trip|~7h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
7
381.2 mi into trip|~7h 28m 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
385.6 mi into trip|~7h 36m in|State Road
At end of road, turn left onto State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.17 one way
$126.34 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$69.47
$138.93
premium
$4.86
$74.13
$148.26
diesel
$5.40
$82.36
$164.73
Estimated Tolls: $12.03
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(92.6 mi)$12.03
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
$63
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.2
1
$40.66
$18.59
Efficient EV
96.8
1
$33.88
$15.49
EV Truck/SUV
154.9
1
$54.21
$24.78
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 26, 2026
Origin
Waterford, PA
Afternoon
in Waterford on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain
NE 10 to 15 mph98% chanceLive 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
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
7h 39m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$1
near mile 373.8
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 373.8
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 360.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 30% of this 387.2-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 205.8 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll transition from highway segments to surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent exits and potential changes in speed limits. The route involves a mix of driving conditions, so keep an eye out for merging traffic as you enter and exit highway sections.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 205.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.6 miles in near PA 97 / PA-97.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 387.2 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 0.6 miles (PA 97 / PA-97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 288.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 362.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Waterford, PA and Croydon, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 387.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 205.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.03 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 33 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (PA 97 / PA-97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 288.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 362.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Croydon, PA before the return drive.
