How far is Harrisburg, PA from Downingtown, PA?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Downingtown, PA is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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 37m.
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.
Census-designated place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Downingtown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Downingtown.
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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
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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
2834 ft · 46 sec · Pottstown Pike
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16
Turn right onto West Uwchlan Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · West Uwchlan Avenue
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17
Continue on West Uwchlan Avenue
65 m · 10 sec · West Uwchlan Avenue
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18
Turn straight onto East Lancaster Avenue
2699 ft · 2 min · East Lancaster Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Brandywine Avenue
18 m · 2 sec · Brandywine Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Brandywine Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Downingtown.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Harrisburg and Mostly Sunny near Downingtown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Downingtown?
The road trip is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Clay is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.3 miles from Harrisburg and 39.5 miles from Downingtown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 3:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.36 one way or $22.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Harrisburg and Mostly Sunny near Downingtown.
Stop Ideas Near Clay
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 Clay.
Lancaster station
Mount Joy
Elizabethtown station
Parkesburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Downingtown. Straight-line distance: 65.06 mi (104.71 km).
#1 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Downingtown
Borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 8,419 |
| Coordinates | 40.0065000, -75.7032700 |
| Altitude | 71 |
| Country | United States |
End: Downingtown (-75.70327, 40.0065)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.36 | $22.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $12.79 | $25.57 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $13.77 | $27.54 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $16.62 | $33.25 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.