How far is Harrisburg, PA from Swarthmore, PA?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, PA to Swarthmore, PA is about 99 miles (159.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 21m 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 10m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Swarthmore.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Swarthmore.
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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
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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
71.7 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
1.1 km · 2 min
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14
Turn left onto North Morehall Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Morehall Road
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15
Continue on South Morehall Road
1 km · 1 min · South Morehall Road
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16
Turn left onto Lancaster Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · Lancaster Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Darby Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Darby Road
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18
Turn right onto Darby Paoli Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Darby Paoli Road
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19
Continue on Newtown Street Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Newtown Street Road
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20
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Chester Pike
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21
Turn slight right onto Springfield Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Springfield Road
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22
Continue on Sproul Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Sproul Road
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on Sproul Road
2.4 mi · 5 min · Sproul Road
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24
Continue on Cedar Lane
695 ft · 20 sec · Cedar Lane
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25
Turn slight left onto North Swarthmore Avenue
547 ft · 18 sec · North Swarthmore Avenue
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26
Turn right onto North Chester Road
1.1 km · 2 min · North Chester Road
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Chester Road
82 m · 12 sec · North Chester Road
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28
Exit the roundabout onto North Chester Road
3 m · 1 sec · North Chester Road
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29
Turn slight right onto Myers Avenue
132 m · 23 sec · Myers Avenue
-
30
Turn right onto Park Avenue
43 m · 6 sec · Park Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Swarthmore.
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
71.7 mi · 01h 17m
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 Swarthmore.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Harrisburg to Swarthmore?
The road trip is about 99 miles (159.4 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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 49.6 miles from Swarthmore.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.1 miles (136.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 2:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.26 one way or $28.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 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 Swarthmore.
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 Swarthmore. Straight-line distance: 85.08 mi (136.92 km).
#1 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Swarthmore
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,372 |
| Coordinates | 39.9020600, -75.3499100 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
End: Swarthmore (-75.34991, 39.90206)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 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 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 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 | $14.26 | $28.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.05 | $32.10 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.29 | $34.58 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $20.87 | $41.74 |
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 · 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.