Origin
York, PA
Late night in York on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from York, PA to State College, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
110.9 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
York, PA
Wikimedia Commons
State College, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from York to State College covers 110.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route transitions through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, utilizing a combination of South Cameron Street, US 22, and I-83. It is a straightforward connection that balances practicality with enough variety to keep the drive engaging for the average traveler.
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
55.5 miles from York, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Cameron Street | 55 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| I 83 | 20.2 mi | 24m |
| Boal Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| South Atherton Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| North George Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| South Allen Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Paxton Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Cameron Street
— 55 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, PA and State College, PA.
1
Start on I 83 BUS
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North George Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 83: Harrisburg
3
Merge onto I 83
20 mi
·
24 min
·
I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 43
Toward Capitol, 2nd Street
Use the slight right lane.
5
Turn right onto Paxton Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Paxton Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto PA 230
55 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
South Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
7
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
8
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 322 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Boal Avenue
Toward US 322 Business: Boalsburg
10
Continue on US 322 Business
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
South Atherton Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto South Allen Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Allen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
South Allen Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 2.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid potential traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and ensure you stay alert behind the wheel. Since you are budgeting roughly $18 for gas, consider topping off your tank before leaving York to avoid any mid-trip fuel stress. Keep a close eye on your navigation when switching between US 22 and I-83, as these transitions are key to maintaining your estimated travel time. Embracing this as a single-day trip allows you to enjoy the journey without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.5 miles from York, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 24 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near State College, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving York, 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 York, PA
This is one driving day of about 110.9 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from York, 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 South Cameron Street for about 55 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.5 miles from York, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 78.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 83
Merge onto I 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.8 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward Capitol, 2nd Street
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 43
Toward Capitol, 2nd Street
6
23.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
Paxton Street
Turn right onto Paxton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
23.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Turn left onto PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
US 22; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, St...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.39 one way
$36.77 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $20.14 | $40.27 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.49 | $48.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.64 | $5.32 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.70 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
State College, PA
Late night in State College on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Lewistown, PA
55 mi in
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
22 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
2h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 26.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that keeps things interesting as you transition between road types. With highway travel accounting for 40% of the route, you will encounter a blend of higher-speed interstate sections and more controlled local driving. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch on South Cameron Street, which spans 55 miles. The character of the road shifts noticeably as you move away from York and head toward the destination, alternating between the predictability of major thoroughfares and the rhythm of local transit. This variety helps prevent the monotony often found on longer, purely interstate-based commutes.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55 mi on South Cameron Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near I 83.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (Paxton Street): 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.
On the drive from York, PA to State College, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol along the way.
Capitol
22.8 mi in
|
~31m
About the Cities
Starting in York, PA
Full guide →York is a city in the Susquehanna Valley region of southern Pennsylvania. It is billed as the "factory tour capital of the world" for its numerous factory tours. It was a major city in U.S. revolutionary history as well, hosting the Continental Congress for a time. It is often viewed by locals as the first capital of the United States but it is unsure if this is actually true because it was never officially named the capital and it was only viewed as the capital because the Articles of Confederation were adopted in the York County Courthouse.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 110.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55 miles on South Cameron Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (Paxton Street): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at State College, PA before heading back.
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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