Origin
Claymont, DE
Night in Claymont on Wednesday
Local time
11:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Claymont, DE to Newark, DE
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
28m
Distance
20.7 mi
33 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Claymont, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Newark, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Claymont to Newark, this 20.7-mile journey is a quick, straightforward transit across Delaware. You can expect to spend about 28 minutes on the road, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, it is an incredibly economical drive for commuters or local travelers. Your route utilizes a mix of major thoroughfares, including the Delaware Turnpike, DE 273, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the entire trip stays within the Northeast region, you will find the transition between these two Delaware hubs to be seamless and efficient. It is a practical, no-fuss drive that gets you to your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
10.4 miles from Claymont, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions between high-speed infrastructure and local roadways. You will spend 44% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 10.3 miles along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, allowing you to settle into a consistent pace before the route shifts. As you transition onto DE 273 and other local connectors, the character of the drive changes from open highway to a more standard road environment. Expect a functional, direct experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads or scenic detours.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.3 miles.
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 early in the drive near US 13 / Philadelphia Pike.
Route Complexity
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 20.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 28m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 13 / Philadelphia Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (I 495 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 95; US 202 / Wilmington Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 13 / Philadelphia Pike
Turn right onto US 13 / Philadelphia Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 495 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 495 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 95; US 202 / Wilmington Expressway
Merge onto I 95; US 202 / Wilmington Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward DE 273: Christiana, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3
Toward DE 273: Christiana, Newark
8
16.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward DE 273 West: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward DE 273 West: Newark
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| DE 273 | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| Delaware Turnpike | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Wilmington Expressway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Philadelphia Pike | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Governor Printz Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 10.3 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claymont, DE and Newark, DE.
1
Start on US 13
124 ft
·
4 sec
·
Governor Printz Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 13
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Philadelphia Pike
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 495 South: Port of Wilmington, Newark, Baltimore, Delaware Memorial Bridge
4
Merge onto I 495
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 95; US 202
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilmington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 95
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Delaware Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 3
Toward DE 273: Christiana, Newark
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward DE 273 West: Newark
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto DE 273
4.2 mi
·
8 min
·
DE 273
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right
260 ft
·
18 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 28-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 20.7-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at $3, so you can easily complete the round trip on a modest amount of gas. My best advice is to check local traffic reports for the Delaware Turnpike before you head out, as highway congestion can influence your arrival time despite the short distance. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your schedule around your arrival in Newark rather than managing mid-trip logistics.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.4 miles from Claymont, DE, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.3 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 20.7 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.4 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Claymont, DE.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Claymont, DE
This is one driving day of about 20.7 miles and 28m.
At 20.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 10.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.4 mi from Claymont, DE · 12m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.4 miles from Claymont, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Newark, DE
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Newark, DE if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.43 one way
$6.86 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $3.76 | $7.52 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.01 | $8.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.57 | $9.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Delaware Turnpike
(3.4 mi)
$0.24
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.17 | $0.99 |
| Efficient EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.81 | $0.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Newark, DE
Night in Newark on Wednesday
Local time
11:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 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
28m 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 Claymont, DE to Newark, DE covers 20.7 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, DE 273, Delaware Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.4 miles from Claymont, DE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 20.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 28m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 13 / Philadelphia Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (I 495 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 95; US 202 / Wilmington Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Claymont, DE to Newark, DE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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