How far is Charlestown, PA from Harrisburg, PA?

The driving distance from Charlestown, PA to Harrisburg, PA is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
79.09 mi
01h 24m
Flight
62.44 mi
100.49 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlestown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
62.44 mi
Kilometers
100.49 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.09 mi
Kilometers
127.28 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Harrisburg
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM EDT
Return by in Charlestown
Sun, Apr 19, 8:45 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlestown
2026-04-19T05:55
Arrive Harrisburg
Sun, Apr 19, 7:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlestown
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Dickinson
PA

Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

From Charlestown
37.2 mi
00h 42m
To Harrisburg
41.9 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph NW
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Charlestown and Harrisburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown and Harrisburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Buchanan Trail West

    3119 ft · 1 min · Buchanan Trail West

  2. 2

    Turn sharp right onto Mountain Road

    3.6 mi · 7 min · Mountain Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Fort Loudon Road

    1 km · 1 min · Fort Loudon Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Lincoln Way West

    12.9 mi · 20 min · Lincoln Way West

  5. 5

    Continue on West Loudon Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Loudon Street

  6. 6

    Continue on West Queen Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Queen Street

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Way East

    1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Way East

  8. 8

    Turn left

    1069 ft · 26 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    48.5 mi · 58 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville

    931 ft · 14 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville

    1828 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    2072 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

    1.2 km · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

  14. 14

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 22 West, US 322 West, US 22 East, PA 230 East: Lewistown, State College, Harrisburg

    1267 ft · 31 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on US 22 East, PA 230 East: Harrisburg

    2676 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto North Cameron Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · North Cameron Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Herr Street

    1643 ft · 45 sec · Herr Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North 7th Street

    1377 ft · 47 sec · North 7th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlestown and Harrisburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Way East
49.5 mi · 63%
Lincoln Way West
12.9 mi · 16%
Mountain Road
3.62 mi · 5%
North Cameron Street
1.77 mi · 2%
American Legion Memorial Highway
0.77 mi · 1%
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
0.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Way East

Merge slight left

48.5 mi · 00h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.7 mi
62.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dickinson
00h 42m from Charlestown
Leave By
3:40 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlestown and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Charlestown to Harrisburg?

The road trip is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km) and usually takes 01h 24m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Dickinson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.2 miles from Charlestown and 41.9 miles from Harrisburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.40 one way or $22.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlestown and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.

Stop Ideas Near Dickinson

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dickinson, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dickinson.

RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

42 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
RAIL

Middletown

52 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street
RAIL

Lewistown

57 mi away
150 Helen Street
RAIL

Elizabethtown station

61 mi away
South Wilson Avenue at West High Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlestown and Harrisburg. Straight-line distance: 62.44 mi (100.49 km).

Charlestown

#1 Charlestown

Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Population6,328
Coordinates39.8600900, -77.9344400
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Harrisburg

#2 Harrisburg

The capital of Pennsylvania.

Population49,322
Coordinates40.2737000, -76.8844200
Altitude101
CountryUnited States
Start: Buchanan Trail West (-77.93471, 39.85989)
End: North 7th Street (-76.884584, 40.273641)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.79 gal
10.56 L · about $11.40
Round trip
$22.80
5.58 gal · 21.12 L
Estimated CO2
24.8 kg one way
Round trip: 49.6 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.40 $22.80
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.83 $25.66
Premium $4.95 $13.82 $27.64
Diesel $5.98 $16.68 $33.37

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Pennsylvania · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlestown and Harrisburg. The current time is 05:55:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.