How far is State College, PA from Columbia, PA?
The driving distance from State College, PA to Columbia, PA is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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 41m.
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 northeastern Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between State College and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between State College and Columbia.
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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
2.7 mi · 4 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
797 ft · 27 sec
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12
Merge slight left
14.6 mi · 17 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Rheems, Elizabethtown
1524 ft · 37 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Cloverleaf Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Cloverleaf Road
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15
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.6 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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16
Turn right onto South Angle Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Angle Street
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17
Continue on Union School Road
2888 ft · 59 sec · Union School Road
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18
Turn slight right onto Anderson Ferry Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Anderson Ferry Road
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19
Turn left onto Long Lane
1.4 mi · 3 min · Long Lane
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Marietta Avenue
30 m · 3 sec · Marietta Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Long Lane
1.3 km · 2 min · Long Lane
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22
Turn left onto River Road
61 m · 3 sec · River Road
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23
Continue on Chickies Hill Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Chickies Hill Road
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24
Continue on North 3rd Street
2725 ft · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between State College and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
General Potter Highway
Continue on General Potter Highway
75.6 mi · 01h 35m
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 State College and Mostly Clear near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from State College to Columbia?
The road trip is about 118.4 miles (190.6 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?
Newport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.2 miles from State College and 59.3 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.5 miles (142.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 1:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around State College and Mostly Clear near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Newport
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 Newport.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Lewistown
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between State College and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 88.55 mi (142.5 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 Columbia
Borough in western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 10,295 |
| Coordinates | 40.0337100, -76.5044100 |
| Altitude | 92 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-76.50441, 40.03371)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $17.08 | $34.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $19.22 | $38.45 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $25.00 | $49.99 |
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.