This 90.7-mile drive from Delmar, DE, to Bear, DE, will take you about 1 hour and 55 minutes. It's a straightforward, one-day trip within the Northeast region, so no overnight stays are necessary. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, making it an economical choice for a journey. You'll be navigating primarily via the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, and South Dupont Highway. This route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a high-speed interstate experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.3 miles from Delmar, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 90.7-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you won't be cruising on interstates; instead, you'll be on roads like the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, and South Dupont Highway. The longest stretch without a turn is 38.4 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This means you'll be actively navigating for most of the trip, with the road character likely shifting as you pass through different local areas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Grove Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East Grove Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.4 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Grove Street
Turn right onto East Grove Street
Navigation decision point
5
48.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
8
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
8
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 40: Bear, Glasgow
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 160
Toward US 40: Bear, Glasgow
5
89.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Delmar, DE to Bear, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Wilmington
48.5 mi in|~1h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
38.4 mi
44m
Sussex Highway
24.4 mi
33m
South Dupont Highway
21.1 mi
25m
Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi
3m
Bi State Boulevard
2.2 mi
3m
West Snake Road
0.6 mi
1m
Pulaski Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Bear Corbitt Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 38.4 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delmar, DE and Bear, DE.
1
Start on North 1st Street
178 ft·9 sec·North 1st Street
2
Turn right onto East Grove Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East Grove Street
3
Turn left onto Bi State Boulevard
2.2 mi·3 min·Bi State Boulevard
4
Turn right onto West Snake Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Snake Road
5
Turn left onto US 13
24 mi·33 min·Sussex Highway
6
Continue on US 13
21 mi·25 min·South Dupont Highway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi·3 min·Puncheon Run Connector
9
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
2.3 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·31 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
6.5 mi·7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1
1.9 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 160Toward US 40: Bear, GlasgowUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
15
Turn left onto US 40
0.5 mi·59 sec·Pulaski Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto DE 7
0.2 mi·28 sec·Bear Corbitt Road
17
Turn left onto Old Hamburg Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Old Hamburg Road
18
Arrive at destination
Old Hamburg Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 55-minute duration and 90.7-mile distance, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. You might consider departing in the morning to have ample time for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy a more relaxed pace. Since there are no specific stops recommended, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $15, and plan a brief stop if needed. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your GPS is set to avoid highways and to pay close attention to road signs as you transition between the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, and South Dupont Highway.
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 45.3 miles from Delmar, DE, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.4 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.3 miles or 1h 1m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bear, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Delmar, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Delmar, DE
This is one driving day of about 90.7 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Delmar, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 38.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.3 mi from Delmar, DE
· 1h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 45.3 miles from Delmar, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bear, DE
The final approach into Bear, DE 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 90.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.04 one way
$30.07 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.47
$32.94
premium
$4.93
$17.59
$35.18
diesel
$5.61
$20.03
$40.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.2
0
$9.52
$4.35
Efficient EV
22.7
0
$7.94
$3.63
EV Truck/SUV
36.3
0
$12.70
$5.80
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Delmar, DE
Morning
in Delmar on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bear, DE
Morning
in Bear on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Camden, DE
45 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 55m 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 Delmar, DE to Bear, DE covers 90.7 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Sussex Highway, South Dupont Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.3 miles from Delmar, DE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.04 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 90.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East Grove Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.4 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Delmar, DE to Bear, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Wilmington along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include First State National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
