Whitman to Lamar is 203 miles and takes about 3h 54m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a straightforward drive for a single day. Most of your travel will be on the Keystone Shortway, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. With a recommended single day for this route, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points in PA.
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
101.5 miles from Whitman, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.1 mi
1h 53m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi
1h 21m
Schuylkill Expressway
15.4 mi
22m
Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
Oregon Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Nittany Valley Drive
1.3 mi
2m
South 6th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South 5th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,125 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,587
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
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 Whitman, PA and Lamar, PA.
1
Start on Vollmer Street
231 ft·12 sec·Vollmer Street
2
Turn right onto South 5th Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·South 5th Street
3
Turn left onto Ritner Street
445 ft·24 sec·Ritner Street
4
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·South 6th Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Oregon Avenue
1.8 mi·3 min·Oregon Avenue
6
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·18 sec·this road
Use the left / uturn / straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76
15 mi·22 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331BToward I 476 North: Plymouth MeetingUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
15
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 53 min·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill HallUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto PA 64
1.3 mi·2 min·Nittany Valley Drive
18
Turn sharp right onto Bletz Road
116 ft·5 sec·Bletz Road
19
Arrive at destination
Bletz Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 54m estimated drive time, leaving Whitman, PA, in the morning should allow you to reach Lamar, PA, with plenty of daylight to spare. The single recommended day suggests this is a manageable trip without needing an overnight stay. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or where you feel a break is needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 103.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 101.5 miles from Whitman, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lamar, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Whitman, 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 Whitman, PA
This is one driving day of about 203 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Whitman, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 103.1 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 and 201.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South 5th Street
Turn right onto South 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Ritner Street
Turn left onto Ritner Street
Navigation decision point
7
17.9 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
7
201.2 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
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 PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.37 one way
$64.74 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$35.82
$71.64
premium
$4.81
$38.43
$76.85
diesel
$4.80
$38.33
$76.66
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)$9.75
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
$32
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.32
$9.74
Efficient EV
50.8
0
$17.76
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.42
$12.99
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Whitman, PA
Morning
in Whitman on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:03PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Lamar, PA
Morning
in Lamar on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
W 5 to 9 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 10:03PM EDT until July 18 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 46% of it on major highways like the Keystone Shortway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. You'll experience a longest stretch of 103.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to notice a shift from consistent highway cruising to more varied driving conditions as you encounter local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections on the non-highway portions.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near South 5th 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 14 significant decision points across 203 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 (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Ritner Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,685 ft12 ft
Total Climb
2,822 ft
Total Descent
2,043 ft
Highest Point
1,685 ft
~188.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,673 ft
Notable High Points
1,685 ft at ~188.5 miles+602 ft prominence
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 Whitman, PA to Lamar, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 203 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.75 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 20 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 Lamar, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Ritner Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lamar, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
