Origin
Whitman, PA
Morning in Whitman on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Whitman, PA to Sterling, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
229.4 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whitman, PA
Haneul Trac
Sterling, PA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Whitman, PA to Sterling, PA is 229.4 miles and takes about 4h 50m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect an 88% highway profile, making it a relatively straightforward journey for a single day. It's a practical option if you need to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
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
114.7 miles from Whitman, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 78.8 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 322 | 54.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 20.1 mi | 28m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| I 83 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Walton Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitman, PA and Sterling, 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
20 mi
·
27 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 283
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 283
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
19
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 83
20
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 322
Exit 51A
Toward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
21
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 322
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
24
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Division Highway
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
27
Continue on US 322
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto PA 504
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Presqueisle Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto PA 53
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Front Street
30
Turn right onto PA 53
480 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Maple Street
31
Continue on PA 53
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Walton Street
32
Continue on PA 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Stone Street
33
Turn right onto Kate Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Kate Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto Elizabeth Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Elizabeth Street
35
Turn right onto PA 53
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Sarah Street
36
Continue on PA 53
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring Street
37
Turn right onto Sterling Avenue
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Sterling Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Sterling Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 79 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan a fuel and rest stop before you reach that point if needed. With a fuel cost estimated around $38, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially as you're on highways for most of the journey.
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 114.7 miles from Whitman, PA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.8 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.7 miles or 2h 19m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, 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 229.4 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 78.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.7 miles from Whitman, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 112.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
22.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
22.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
8
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
9
112.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.03 one way
$76.06 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $41.65 | $83.31 |
| premium | $4.93 | $44.49 | $88.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.65 | $101.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.24
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.8 mi)
$10.24
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
$38
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.09 | $11.01 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.07 | $9.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.12 | $14.68 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Sterling, PA
Morning in Sterling on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
18 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
4h 50m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$1
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 23.7
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 87
View on nps.gov
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 118.6
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 31.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 78.8 miles. The inclusion of US 322 and US 22 offers some variation from the Turnpike, potentially providing glimpses of different landscapes as you transition between these highways. Overall, anticipate a driving experience geared towards covering distance with relative speed.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 229.4 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 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Whitman, PA and Sterling, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Chester
22.2 mi in
|
~33m
Pottstown
22.2 mi in
|
~33m
Harrisburg
22.8 mi in
|
~34m
Hershey
102.5 mi in
|
~2h
State College
105.5 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Lewistown
111.9 mi in
|
~2h 15m
|
via US 322
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 229.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.24 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.
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 Sterling, 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 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Sterling, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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