How far is Harrisburg, PA from Charlestown, PA?

The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Charlestown, PA is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 25m 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
74.08 mi
01h 42m
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 Harrisburg.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
74.08 mi
Kilometers
119.22 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlestown
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM EDT
Return by in Harrisburg
Sun, Apr 19, 11:03 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harrisburg
2026-04-19T07:37
Arrive Charlestown
Sun, Apr 19, 9:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harrisburg
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 Harrisburg
37 mi
00h 51m
To Charlestown
37.1 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph W
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 7th Street

    27 m · 3 sec · North 7th Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North 7th Street

    25 m · 3 sec · North 7th Street

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto North 7th Street

    2757 ft · 2 min · North 7th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Maclay Street

    2176 ft · 55 sec · Maclay Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Cameron Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Cameron Street

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown

    1003 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Carlisle

    1.5 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

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

  10. 10

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    49.2 mi · 59 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Lincoln Way

    743 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Lincoln Way East

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Way East

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Way East

    13.8 mi · 22 min · Lincoln Way East

  14. 14

    Turn sharp left onto Fort Loudon Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Fort Loudon Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Mountain Road

    3.6 mi · 7 min · Mountain Road

  16. 16

    Turn sharp left onto Buchanan Trail West

    3119 ft · 1 min · Buchanan Trail West

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Buchanan Trail West

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
American Legion Memorial Highway
49.9 mi · 67%
Lincoln Way East
15.2 mi · 21%
Mountain Road
3.62 mi · 5%
I 81 South
1.1 mi · 1%
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
0.92 mi · 1%
North Cameron Street
0.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

American Legion Memorial Highway

Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

49.2 mi · 00h 59m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
62.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dickinson
00h 51m from Harrisburg
Leave By
3:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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 miles from Harrisburg and 37.1 miles from Charlestown.

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 11.7 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 3:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.71 one way or $21.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Harrisburg and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 62.44 mi (100.49 km).

Harrisburg

#1 Harrisburg

The capital of Pennsylvania.

Population49,322
Coordinates40.2737000, -76.8844200
Altitude101
CountryUnited States
Charlestown

#2 Charlestown

Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Population6,328
Coordinates39.8600900, -77.9344400
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Start: Harrisburg (-76.88442, 40.2737)
End: Charlestown (-77.93444, 39.86009)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.62 gal
9.9 L · about $10.71
Round trip
$21.41
5.24 gal · 19.8 L
Estimated CO2
23.3 kg one way
Round trip: 46.6 kg / 103 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $10.71 $21.41
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.05 $24.10
Premium $4.95 $12.98 $25.96
Diesel $5.98 $15.67 $31.34

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 Harrisburg and Charlestown. The current time is 07:37:46.

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.