Origin
California, PA
Evening in California on Wednesday
Local time
8:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from California, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
155.7 mi
251 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
California, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 155.7-mile drive from California, Pennsylvania, to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 9 minutes. With a fuel cost projected at $26, it's an economical journey. You'll primarily navigate using the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Keystone Shortway, and the Mid-County Expressway, offering a good mix of travel. This route is entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward transit within the state. It's an ideal route for completing in a single push, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.8 miles from California, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 55% of your journey taking place on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. This means you'll experience periods of consistent, faster-paced travel interspersed with other types of roads. The drive will likely evolve, offering a varied on-the-road experience as you transition between these main thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 75.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,805 ft
56 ft
Total Climb
1,550 ft
Total Descent
2,167 ft
Highest Point
1,805 ft
~66.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,748 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 155.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 62.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 63.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allen...
6
63.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
5
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
138.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
149.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between California, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
62.4 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Allentown
62.4 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Keystone Shortway | 52.2 mi | 58m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 10.8 mi | 14m |
| Continental Boulevard | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Strick Road | 2 mi | 5m |
| West Providence Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 75.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Strick Road
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Strick Road
2
Turn right onto PA 54
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Continental Boulevard
3
Continue on PA 54
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Water Street
4
Continue on PA 54
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Continental Boulevard
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
52 mi
·
58 min
·
Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
10
Merge onto I 476; PATP
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 476
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
19
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, leaving in the morning is a practical approach to reach Upper Darby with daylight to spare. You'll have one recommended stop, and with a total distance of 155.7 miles, you can easily manage this without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 75.1-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as services might be less frequent during that segment. The $26 fuel cost is a reasonable budget to plan around for this trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.8 miles from California, PA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.8 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving California, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from California, PA
This is one driving day of about 155.7 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from California, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 75.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.8 mi from California, PA · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.8 miles from California, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.1 miles.
Arriving in Upper Darby, PA
The final approach into Upper Darby, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Upper Darby, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.81 one way
$51.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.27 | $56.54 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.38 | $68.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)
$9.76
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.47 |
| Efficient EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.96 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Evening in Upper Darby on Wednesday
Local time
8:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Northampton, PA
78 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from California, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 155.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Keystone Shortway, Mid-County Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.8 miles from California, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 155.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 63.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between California, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 56 ft to 1,805 ft elevation with about 1,550 ft of total climbing.
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