How far is Lancaster, PA from Harrisburg, PA?
The driving distance from Lancaster, PA to Harrisburg, PA is about 40.1 miles (64.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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 Lancaster and Harrisburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Harrisburg.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right onto East King Street
1163 ft · 49 sec · East King Street
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3
Turn left onto North Lime Street
570 ft · 27 sec · North Lime Street
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4
Turn left onto East Orange Street
1226 ft · 27 sec · East Orange Street
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5
Turn right onto North Queen Street
1.6 km · 3 min · North Queen Street
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6
Turn left onto McGovern Avenue
122 m · 14 sec · McGovern Avenue
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7
Turn slight right
1343 ft · 36 sec
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8
Continue on Fruitville Pike
1 mi · 2 min · Fruitville Pike
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9
Take the ramp left toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
2596 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 33 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
2776 ft · 48 sec
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12
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 83 South: Harrisburg
2.7 mi · 4 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street
778 ft · 19 sec
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15
Keep slight right
89 m · 7 sec
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16
Turn straight onto South 17th Street
2027 ft · 48 sec · South 17th Street
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17
Turn left onto Derry Street
1821 ft · 39 sec · Derry Street
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18
Turn right onto South 13th Street
2423 ft · 1 min · South 13th Street
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19
Turn left onto State Street
2510 ft · 55 sec · State Street
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20
Continue on Fisher Plaza
736 ft · 18 sec · Fisher Plaza
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21
Keep slight right to continue on North 7th Street
2412 ft · 1 min · North 7th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster and Harrisburg.
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 West
Merge slight left
28.1 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 Lancaster and Sunny near Harrisburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Harrisburg?
The road trip is about 40.1 miles (64.6 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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 19.6 miles from Lancaster and 20.6 miles from Harrisburg.
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 5.4 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 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lancaster and Sunny near Harrisburg.
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 Lancaster and Harrisburg. Straight-line distance: 34.64 mi (55.75 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Harrisburg
The capital of Pennsylvania.
| Population | 49,322 |
| Coordinates | 40.2737000, -76.8844200 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 7th Street (-76.884584, 40.273641)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 65 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.80 | $11.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.53 | $13.06 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.03 | $14.07 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.49 | $16.98 |
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.