How far is Chester, PA from Harrisburg, PA?
The driving distance from Chester, PA to Harrisburg, PA is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Capital and only settlement on the Pitcairn Islands
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Harrisburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Harrisburg.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
593 ft · 30 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn right onto Welsh Street
1021 ft · 32 sec · Welsh Street
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3
Continue on Avenue of the States
1674 ft · 38 sec · Avenue of the States
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4
Continue on Edgmont Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Edgmont Avenue
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5
Continue on South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road
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6
Continue on North Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road
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7
Continue on South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
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8
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
3.2 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
1172 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chester Bypass
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton
7.5 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward PATP
1875 ft · 46 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1685 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
64.5 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
1340 ft · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 83 South: Harrisburg
2.7 mi · 4 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street
778 ft · 19 sec
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19
Keep slight right
89 m · 7 sec
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20
Turn straight onto South 17th Street
2027 ft · 48 sec · South 17th Street
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21
Turn left onto Derry Street
1821 ft · 39 sec · Derry Street
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22
Turn right onto South 13th Street
2423 ft · 1 min · South 13th Street
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23
Turn left onto State Street
2510 ft · 55 sec · State Street
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24
Continue on Fisher Plaza
736 ft · 18 sec · Fisher Plaza
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25
Keep slight right to continue on North 7th Street
2412 ft · 1 min · North 7th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Harrisburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
64.5 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Chester 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 Chester to Harrisburg?
The road trip is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Adamstown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.2 miles from Chester and 51.7 miles from Harrisburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 2:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.55 one way or $29.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Chester and Chance Rain Showers near Harrisburg.
Stop Ideas Near Adamstown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Adamstown.
Lancaster station
Parkesburg
Coatesville
Downingtown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Harrisburg. Straight-line distance: 85.92 mi (138.27 km).
#1 Chester
City in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 4,072 |
| Coordinates | 39.8496700, -75.3570700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 7th Street (-76.884584, 40.273641)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.55 | $29.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.37 | $32.74 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.64 | $35.27 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.29 | $42.58 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.