How far is Harrisburg, PA from Chester, PA?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Chester, PA is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 22m 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 02h 11m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Chester.
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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 3 toward North 7th Street
64 m · 7 sec · North 7th Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto North 7th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 7th Street
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4
Continue on Fisher Plaza
820 ft · 20 sec · Fisher Plaza
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5
Keep slight left to continue on State Street
2769 ft · 1 min · State Street
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6
Turn right onto North 13th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North 13th Street
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7
Turn left
1346 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
2242 ft · 55 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East: Philadelphia
1.1 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
64.1 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
2289 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on PA 100 South: Downingtown
3108 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Pottstown Pike
7.1 mi · 11 min · Pottstown Pike
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16
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward PA 3: Newtown Square
547 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn right onto West Chester Pike
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
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19
Turn right onto South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
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20
Continue on Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Middletown Road
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21
Continue on South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road
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22
Continue on Edgmont Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Edgmont Avenue
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23
Continue on Avenue of the States
1674 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the States
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24
Turn slight left onto Welsh Street
1021 ft · 40 sec · Welsh Street
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25
Turn left onto East 5th Street
593 ft · 26 sec · East 5th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Chester.
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
64.1 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.
Sunny leaving Harrisburg and Sunny near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Chester?
The road trip is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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 49.5 miles from Harrisburg and 49.7 miles from Chester.
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 13.3 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 2:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.30 one way or $28.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Harrisburg and Sunny near Chester.
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 Harrisburg and Chester. Straight-line distance: 85.92 mi (138.27 km).
#1 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chester
City in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 4,072 |
| Coordinates | 39.8496700, -75.3570700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-75.35707, 39.84967)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.10 | $32.19 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.34 | $34.68 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $20.93 | $41.86 |
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.