How far is Harrisburg, PA from Carlisle, PA?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Carlisle, PA is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA
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 Harrisburg and Carlisle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Carlisle.
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1
Start on North 7th Street
27 m · 3 sec · North 7th Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North 7th Street
25 m · 3 sec · North 7th Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto North 7th Street
2757 ft · 2 min · North 7th Street
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4
Turn right onto Maclay Street
2176 ft · 55 sec · Maclay Street
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5
Turn left onto North Cameron Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Cameron Street
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown
1003 ft · 24 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Carlisle
1.5 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
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10
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
16.3 mi · 20 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 641: High Street
801 ft · 20 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on PA 641: High St
61 m · 5 sec
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13
Turn straight onto West Trindle Road
3274 ft · 1 min · West Trindle Road
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14
Continue on East High Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East High Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East High Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Carlisle.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
American Legion Memorial Highway
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
16.3 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Harrisburg and Chance Rain Showers near Carlisle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Carlisle?
The road trip is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mechanicsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.3 miles from Harrisburg and 11.3 miles from Carlisle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.27 one way or $6.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Harrisburg and Chance Rain Showers near Carlisle.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsburg
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 Mechanicsburg.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Mount Joy
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Carlisle. Straight-line distance: 16.81 mi (27.06 km).
#1 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlisle
Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 19,213 |
| Coordinates | 40.2014800, -77.1888700 |
| Altitude | 146 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlisle (-77.18887, 40.20148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.27 | $6.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $3.68 | $7.36 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $3.96 | $7.93 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $4.78 | $9.57 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.