How far is Harrisburg, PA from Lancaster, PA?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Lancaster, PA is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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 00h 55m.
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.
Borough in northwestern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Lancaster.
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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
2.5 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
797 ft · 26 sec
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12
Merge slight left
28.6 mi · 33 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Fruitville Pike
1525 ft · 34 sec
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14
Keep slight right
90 m · 7 sec
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15
Keep slight right
87 m · 9 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Fruitville Pike
1.5 km · 2 min · Fruitville Pike
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17
Continue on North Prince Street
1.4 mi · 5 min · North Prince Street
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18
Turn left onto West Vine Street
592 ft · 24 sec · West Vine Street
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19
Turn left onto South Queen Street
155 m · 19 sec · South Queen Street
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20
Turn right
27 m · 6 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Lancaster.
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.
PA 283 East
Merge slight left
28.6 mi · 00h 33m
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 Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 39.6 miles (63.7 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Harrisburg and 19.8 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 4:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.72 one way or $11.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Harrisburg and Sunny near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Elizabethtown station
Mount Joy
Middletown
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 34.64 mi (55.75 km).
#1 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-76.30551, 40.03788)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.72 | $11.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.44 | $12.88 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $6.94 | $13.87 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.