Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET
Where is Carlisle Located? - Carlisle is a city located in the Cumberland County of Pennsylvania, United States. Carlisle lies between 48.4122107 Degrees North latitudes and 97.410634 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle Map, Pennsylvania, USA
Where is Carlisle?: The Google Map showing the location of Carlisle in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Where is Carlisle Located?
Carlisle is a city located in the Cumberland County of Pennsylvania, United States. Carlisle lies between 48.4122107 Degrees North latitudes and 97.410634 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Carlisle city is 20118 people and the city has a total area of 5.53 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
Carlisle, Pennsylvania Climate and Weather Overview
Month
Avg High (°F)
Avg Low (°F)
Avg Rainfall (in)
January
38
22
2.9
April
64
41
3.5
July
86
65
4.2
October
66
44
3.0
Annual
64
43
41.5
Climate Attribute
Details
Climate Classification (Köppen)
Hot-Summer Humid Continental (Dfa)
Annual Rainfall
About 41.5 in
Annual Sunshine Days
About 202 days
Hurricane/Tornado Risk
Low hurricane risk and low tornado risk
Snowfall
About 28 in annually
Driving Distances from Carlisle, Pennsylvania
City
State
Distance (mi)
Approx. Drive Time
Mechanicsburg
Pennsylvania
10
15 min
Newville
Pennsylvania
12
15 min
Dillsburg
Pennsylvania
15
20 min
Camp Hill
Pennsylvania
18
25 min
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
20
30 min
Shippensburg
Pennsylvania
20
25 min
Gettysburg
Pennsylvania
31
40 min
Chambersburg
Pennsylvania
35
40 min
York
Pennsylvania
38
50 min
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
58
1 hr 10 min
Transportation and Connectivity in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Transportation
Details
Airport Name
Harrisburg International Airport
IATA Code
MDT
Port
No commercial port
Major Highways
Interstate 81, Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike), U.S. Route 11, U.S. Route 34
Train/Amtrak Service
Nearest Amtrak station in Harrisburg
Local Bus/Transit Service
rabbittransit and Cumberland Area Transit (CAT)
Interstates 81 and 76 intersect near Carlisle, making it one of Pennsylvania's most important transportation hubs.
U.S. Routes 11 and 34 provide convenient regional access across Cumberland County.
Harrisburg International Airport, about 30 miles east, offers scheduled domestic flights to major U.S. destinations.
Amtrak passenger rail service is available from nearby Harrisburg, providing connections throughout the Northeast Corridor.
Carlisle is an important logistics, education, and military community in south-central Pennsylvania.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Landmark Name
Type
Carlisle Barracks
Historic Military Installation
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
Military History Museum
Dickinson College
Historic College Campus
Cumberland County Historical Society
History Museum
LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Army Heritage Trail
Historic Walking Trail
Carlisle Theatre
Historic Theater
Children's Lake (Boiling Springs)
Scenic Park
Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
Nature Preserve
Carlisle Fairgrounds
Event Venue
Colleges and Universities in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
Dickinson College
Private
College
Liberal arts, international studies, and law
Penn State Dickinson Law
Public
Law School
Legal education and research
Central Penn College
Private
College
Business, healthcare, and technology programs
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
Public
Community College
Career training and transfer education
Shippensburg University
Public
University
Business, education, and graduate studies
Waterbodies in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Conodoguinet Creek, LeTort Spring Run, Yellow Breeches Creek, Children's Lake, Susquehanna River, Letort Creek, Doubling Gap Lake, Laurel Lake
Golf Courses in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle Barracks Golf Course, Mayapple Golf Club, Eagles Crossing Golf Club, Valley Green Golf Course, Carlisle Country Club, Rich Valley Golf, Liberty Forge Golf Course, Deer Valley Golf Course
Carlisle, Pennsylvania - Key Historical Facts
Carlisle was founded in 1751 and quickly became an important frontier settlement during Pennsylvania's colonial period.
Carlisle Barracks, established in 1757, is one of the oldest active military posts in the United States and is home to the U.S. Army War College.
Dickinson College, founded in 1783, was one of the first colleges established after the American Revolution.
The town played an important role during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Civil War, including Confederate occupation during the Gettysburg Campaign.
Carlisle is internationally known for its annual collector automobile events, including the Carlisle Car Shows, which attract enthusiasts from across North America.
Today, Carlisle is recognized for its military heritage, higher education institutions, historic downtown, logistics industry, and cultural events.