The drive from Delaware, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 209, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Lehigh Valley Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on US 209.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.4 miles from Delaware, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Delaware has beautiful beaches and parks. The more popular beaches are in: Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. Most parks in Delaware's very extensive and well maintained park system are free or low-cost. The First State National Historical Park a group of historical sites that cover the early colonial history of Delaware and the role Delaware played in the establishment of the United States, leading up to it being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
It is one of the smallest states in the United States. It has beautiful beaches, and activities vary from business-friendly Wilmington to the rural southern parts of the state.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 118.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 209 and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.3 miles on US 209.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 209 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 209 and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 miles in near US 209.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 118.9 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 21.9 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
21.9 mi into trip|~40m in|US 209
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209 toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersvill...
7
47 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
7
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, Scranton
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.
Toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, Scranton
7
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
8
112.7 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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 Delaware, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Patp, Scranton and Broomall.
Allentown
47 mi in|~1h 12m
Patp
63.4 mi in|~1h 35m
Scranton
63.4 mi in|~1h 35m
Broomall
112.7 mi in|~2h 32m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 209
40.3 mi
1h 1m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
37.4 mi
40m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
15.7 mi
21m
Mid-County Expressway
10.8 mi
14m
Keystone Shortway
3.6 mi
5m
Seven Bridge Road
3.1 mi
6m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
West Chester Pike
2.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 209
— 40.3 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delaware, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on US 209
15 mi·28 min·US 209
2
Enter roundabout onto US 209
176 ft·6 sec·Seven Bridge Road
3
Continue on US 209
3.1 mi·5 min·Seven Bridge Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 209
5
Merge onto I 80
3.6 mi·5 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
25 mi·32 min·US 209
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: SnydersvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·21 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, ScrantonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 476 South: PhiladelphiaUse the right lane.
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Delaware, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10
near mile 4.1
Park Closure: Routine Winter Service Levels in Effect
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 118.9
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 106.6
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 110.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.71 one way
$39.42 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.59
$43.18
premium
$4.93
$23.06
$46.12
diesel
$5.61
$26.25
$52.50
Estimated Tolls: $5.97
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.4 mi)$4.87
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(15.7 mi)$1.10
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
$20
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Delaware, PA
Afternoon
in Delaware on Saturday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Afternoon
in Upper Darby on Saturday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
17 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
2h 48m 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 Delaware, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 209, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Lehigh Valley Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.4 miles from Delaware, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.71 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.
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 14 significant decision points across 118.9 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 21.9 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Delaware, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Patp, Scranton and Broomall.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
