Directions to Lancaster County, PA

Are you planning on visiting Lancaster, PA? If so, you’re probably looking for directions. Obviously, it depends upon where you are coming from. Hopefully the following will help you “find your way”.

Lancaster is located in south central PA, southeast of Harrisburg.
Lancaster is approximately an hour west of suburban Philadelphia.
We are two hours from Washington, D.C. and three hours from New York City.

Flying or Taking the Train to Lancaster?

If you are flying here or hopping an Amtrak train or a bus, see our Getting to Lancaster page for that information.

Approximate Driving Times and Distances to Lancaster:

Your actual driving time will depend upon what part of Lancaster County you are driving to. The following are approximate times and distances for a starting point of reference:

Philadelphia (Center City) – 1 ¾ hours – 80 miles
New York, NY – 3 hours – 165 miles
Asbury Park, NJ – 2 ½ hours – 145 miles
Atlantic City, NJ – 2 ¾ hours – 140 miles
Wilmington, DE – 1 ½ hours – 50 miles
Baltimore, MD – 1 ½ hours – 75 miles
Washington, D.C. – 2 1/4 hours – 120 miles
Harrisburg, PA – 45 minutes – 40 miles
State College, PA – 2 ½ hours – 130 miles
Pittsburgh, PA – 4 hours – 240 miles

See below for suggesting driving routes to take from the above locations.

A Note of Caution When Driving in Lancaster County

Once you arrive in Lancaster County, please be alert to Amish buggies sharing the road with you. Obviously, they travel at a much slower speed than you, so please drive carefully. If you’re driving fast, you can catch up to an Amish buggy quicker than you may think.

If you have to pass a buggy on a two-lane road, please make sure the opposing lane is clear to provide you with plenty of room to pass safely. And please allow plenty to distance between you and the horse before you pull back into your lane.

Also, just as many drivers don’t come to a complete stop at stop signs, so, too, with Amish buggies. Sometimes they don’t stop completely at stop signs. Also, sometimes they make quick turns left or right onto country lanes or long driveways, so please be alert.

Driving Directions to Lancaster, PA

From the Northern Pennsylvania & New York state –

• Take I-81 south.
• At Exit 124 (Frackville, PA) take PA 61 south.
• Just north of Reading pick up US 222 south, and take that to Lancaster.

If you are going to Lititz or northern Lancaster County, make this modification:

• Take I-81 south.
• At Exit 104 (Ravine, PA) take PA 501 south. That will take you through Lititz and into Lancaster.

From New York City –

• Take I-78 west
• At Allentown, PA pick up US 222 south, and take that to Lancaster.

From Middle New Jersey –

• Take I-195 west
• Near Exit 7 take I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike) south
• At Exit 6 take I-276 West. This will become the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and later become I-76 west.
• At Exit 286 take US 222 south into Lancaster.

If your destination is eastern Lancaster County you might take this route (although it could be slower during the busier season) –

• Take I-195 west
• Near Exit 7 take I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike) south
• At Exit 6 take I-276 West. This will become the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and later become I-76 west.
• At Exit 326 (King of Prussia) follow I-76 south to US 202 west.
• Near Exton, PA pick up US 30 west, and take that to Lancaster.

From Southern New Jersey –

• Take the Atlantic City Expressway north, which will eventually become Route 42 north and then I-676.
• Cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, then pick up I-76 west.
• Then follow either set of directions above.

From the DelMarVa Peninsula –

• Take Routes 301 or 13 or 1 north to I-95.
• Follow the signs for Route 7 north.
• That will then merge with PA 41 north.
• At Gap, PA, turn left onto US 30 west.

From Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and South –

• Take I-95 north to I-695 west around Baltimore.
• Take I-83 north to York, PA.
• Exit I-83 at the Market Street Exit.
• At the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp, drive straight across Market Street and follow North Hills Road.
• Then turn right onto US-30 east.

From the West –

• Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike east to Exit 247 (Harrisburg East).
• Take Route 283 south to Lancaster.