How far is Columbia, PA from State College, PA?

The driving distance from Columbia, PA to State College, PA is about 117.6 miles (189.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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
117.57 mi
02h 09m
Flight
88.55 mi
142.5 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
88.55 mi
Kilometers
142.5 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.57 mi
Kilometers
189.21 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 02h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in State College
Sat, May 30, 8:31 PM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Sat, May 30, 10:40 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-30T18:21
Arrive State College
Sat, May 30, 8:31 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
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
Newport
PA

Borough in northeastern Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States

From Columbia
59.3 mi
01h 04m
To State College
58.3 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph N
Destination
66°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
13 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and State College.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and State College.

  1. 1

    Start on North 3rd Street

    2725 ft · 1 min · North 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Chickies Hill Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Chickies Hill Road

  3. 3

    Continue on River Road

    1 mi · 2 min · River Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Ore Mine Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Ore Mine Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Anderson Ferry Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Anderson Ferry Road

  6. 6

    Turn slight left onto Union School Road

    2888 ft · 57 sec · Union School Road

  7. 7

    Continue on South Angle Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Angle Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    2.6 mi · 4 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Cloverleaf Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Cloverleaf Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg

    1553 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    14.3 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 283 North: Harrisburg

    2776 ft · 48 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 83 North, US 322

    1258 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College

    1402 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Continue on I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

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

    1437 ft · 27 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College

    51.8 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College

    24.5 mi · 32 min

  21. 21

    Continue on Boal Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Boal Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Boal Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on South Atherton Street

    2.5 mi · 5 min · South Atherton Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Allen Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · South Allen Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Allen Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and State College.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 22 West
76.2 mi · 65%
PA 283 West
14.6 mi · 12%
Boal Avenue
4.25 mi · 4%
I 83 North
4.24 mi · 4%
West Main Street
2.6 mi · 2%
South Atherton Street
2.53 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 22 West

Keep slight right to continue on US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College

51.8 mi · 01h 04m

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
02h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.1 mi
88.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newport
01h 04m from Columbia
Leave By
2:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near State College.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to State College?

The road trip is about 117.6 miles (189.2 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Newport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.3 miles from Columbia and 58.3 miles from State College.

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

The direct path is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 2:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.96 one way or $33.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near State College.

Stop Ideas Near Newport

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newport, 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 Newport.

RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

32 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
RAIL

Lewistown

40 mi away
150 Helen Street
RAIL

Middletown

46 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street
RAIL

Elizabethtown station

57 mi away
South Wilson Avenue at West High Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and State College. Straight-line distance: 88.55 mi (142.5 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

Borough in western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population10,295
Coordinates40.0337100, -76.5044100
Altitude92
CountryUnited States
State College

#2 State College

The largest city in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Population41,366
Coordinates40.7933900, -77.8600000
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: North 3rd Street (-76.504541, 40.033623)
End: South Allen Street (-77.860134, 40.793288)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.15 gal
15.7 L · about $16.96
Round trip
$33.91
8.3 gal · 31.4 L
Estimated CO2
36.9 kg one way
Round trip: 73.8 kg / 163 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $16.96 $33.91
Mid-grade $4.60 $19.09 $38.17
Premium $4.95 $20.56 $41.12
Diesel $5.98 $24.82 $49.63

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and State College. The current time is 18:21:53.

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.