Origin
Cressona, PA
Evening in Cressona on Wednesday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cressona, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
94.4 mi
152 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cressona, PA
Haneul Trac
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cressona to Philadelphia covers 92.9 miles of Pennsylvania terrain, a journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to complete the one-way trek. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic corridor throughout the drive. This route serves as a straightforward connection between the smaller borough of Cressona and the major urban center of Philadelphia, making it a manageable drive for those looking to reach the city without an extensive time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
47.2 miles from Cressona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Navigating these local roads requires your full attention, as the path lacks the predictability of major high-speed corridors. You will find that the road demands more active steering and focus compared to long, straight highway stretches. Because you are avoiding major highways, the pace remains consistent but requires you to adapt to the curves and turns inherent in the local road network. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from the moment you leave Cressona until you reach your destination in Philadelphia.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 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 37.4 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 around 36.6 miles in near US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.4 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.6 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
36.6 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
8
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
92.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
93.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cressona, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport, Patp, Scranton and Valley Forge.
Lvi Airport
36.6 mi in
|
~47m
|
via US 22
Patp
37.9 mi in
|
~49m
Scranton
37.9 mi in
|
~49m
Valley Forge
79.6 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Centre Street | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 37.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cressona, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on Zerbe Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
Zerbe Street
2
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Front Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto PA 183
224 ft
·
5 sec
·
Chestnut Street
4
Continue on PA 183
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Sillyman Street
5
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
6
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
7
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
10
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 476; PATP
37 mi
·
39 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
17
Continue on I 476
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 76
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
26
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
27
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move for a smoother arrival in Philadelphia. You won't need to plan for formal stops given the short duration, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is helpful since the estimated $15 cost is based on current projections. Because the route consists entirely of local roads, ensure your GPS is updated and reliable before you depart to navigate the frequent turns effectively. Stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition between rural stretches and more populated areas. Embracing the lack of highway travel allows you to enjoy a more direct, ground-level perspective of the Pennsylvania landscape.
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 47.2 miles from Cressona, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.2 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cressona, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cressona, PA
This is one driving day of about 94.4 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Cressona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 37.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.2 mi from Cressona, PA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.2 miles from Cressona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Philadelphia, PA
The final approach into Philadelphia, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.65 one way
$31.30 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.31 | $36.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.84 | $41.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.96
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.4 mi)
$4.87
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.3 mi)
$0.09
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
$16
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.91 | $4.53 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.26 | $3.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Philadelphia, PA
Evening in Philadelphia on Wednesday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 58m 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 Cressona, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 94.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, William Penn Highway, Schuylkill Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.2 miles from Cressona, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.65 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.4 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.6 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cressona, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport, Patp, Scranton and Valley Forge.
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