How far is State College, PA from Center City, PA?
The driving distance from State College, PA to Center City, PA is about 192.2 miles (309.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 southern Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between State College and Center City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between State College and Center City.
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1
Start on South Allen Street
1.4 km · 3 min · South Allen Street
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2
Turn left onto South Atherton Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · South Atherton Street
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3
Turn right onto Boal Avenue
4.2 mi · 8 min · Boal Avenue
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4
Continue on General Potter Highway
75.6 mi · 1 hr 35 min · General Potter Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
968 ft · 21 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
4.3 mi · 6 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
910 ft · 22 sec
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10
Continue straight
2.8 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
78.4 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
18 mi · 26 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Vine Street Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Central Philadelphia
731 ft · 18 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
96 m · 11 sec
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17
Turn right onto North 15th Street
144 m · 17 sec · North 15th Street
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18
Turn left onto Race Street
1541 ft · 39 sec · Race Street
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19
Turn right onto North 12th Street
1682 ft · 51 sec · North 12th Street
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20
Turn left onto Ludlow Street
69 m · 10 sec · Ludlow Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ludlow Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between State College and Center City.
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
78.4 mi · 01h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving State College and Mostly Sunny near Center City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from State College to Center City?
The road trip is about 192.2 miles (309.3 km) and usually takes 04h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Royalton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.9 miles from State College and 96.2 miles from Center City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.70 one way or $55.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around State College and Mostly Sunny near Center City.
Stop Ideas Near Royalton
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 Royalton.
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Mount Joy
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between State College and Center City. Straight-line distance: 153.6 mi (247.2 km).
#1 State College
The largest city in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 41,366 |
| Coordinates | 40.7933900, -77.8600000 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Center City
Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA
| Population | 57,239 |
| Coordinates | 39.9512000, -75.1592300 |
| Altitude | - |
| Country | United States |
End: Center City (-75.15923, 39.9512)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 309 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $27.70 | $55.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $31.18 | $62.36 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $33.59 | $67.18 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $40.54 | $81.09 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.