Origin
Durham, PA
Night in Durham on Sunday
Local time
10:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durham, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
50.5 mi
81 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Durham, PA
Frank Samet
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Trip Overview
Traveling from Durham to Philadelphia covers a 60.5-mile span that takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily reach the heart of the city without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate through the scenic Northeast region of Pennsylvania, transitioning from the quiet atmosphere of Durham into the urban environment of Philadelphia. Budgeting about $10 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it offers a more personal, localized experience than typical interstate travel. Use this drive when you prefer a slower, more deliberate pace rather than a high-speed commute.
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
25.2 miles from Durham, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. The route relies exclusively on local thoroughfares like Durham Road, Gallows Hill Road, and Harrow Road, meaning your highway share is a flat 0%. You won't find any long, monotonous stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment on Durham Road is 0 miles. Instead, the trip is defined by constant navigation through local turns and curves. It is an ideal path for drivers who enjoy staying alert and maneuvering through the countryside rather than settling into the repetitive rhythm of a multi-lane interstate.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Easton Road is the longest continuous segment at about 12.1 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 around 21.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 50.5 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 21.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles (Lower State Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (Lower State Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward US 202 South: Norristown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 202 South: Norristown
5
22.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
Lower State Road
Turn left onto Lower State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
27.3 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
Lower State Road
Turn right onto Lower State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
30.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
PA 309 / Bethlehem Pike
Turn sharp left onto PA 309 / Bethlehem Pike
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
PA 611 / North 15th Street
Turn left onto PA 611 / North 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Easton Road | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| Fort Washington Expressway | 9 mi | 12m |
| Lower State Road | 6.8 mi | 13m |
| Durham Road | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| Ogontz Avenue | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Gallows Hill Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Doylestown Bypass | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| North 12th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Easton Road
— 12.1 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durham, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on Old Furnace Road
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Furnace Road
2
Continue on Durham Road
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Durham Road
3
Continue on PA 212
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Durham Road
4
Turn left onto Gallows Hill Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Gallows Hill Road
5
Turn slight left onto PA 412
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Harrow Road
6
Continue on PA 412
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Durham Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto PA 611
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Easton Road
8
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 611
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Easton Road
9
Continue on PA 611
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Doylestown Bypass
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 202 South: Norristown
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 202
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 202 Parkway
12
Turn left onto Lower State Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lower State Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Lower State Road
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lower State Road
14
Continue on PA 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Limekiln Pike
15
Turn right onto Lower State Road
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Lower State Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto PA 63
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Welsh Road
17
Turn sharp left onto PA 309
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Bethlehem Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on PA 309
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Fort Washington Expressway
19
Continue on PA 309
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Washington Fort Washington Expressway
20
Continue on PA 309
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Fort Washington Expressway
21
Continue on PA 309
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Limekiln Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on PA 309
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ogontz Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Belfield Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Belfield Avenue
24
Turn right onto Old York Road
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Old York Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn slight right onto Rising Sun Avenue
185 ft
·
7 sec
·
Rising Sun Avenue
26
Turn left onto Germantown Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Germantown Avenue
27
Turn right onto West Lehigh Avenue
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Lehigh Avenue
28
Turn left onto North 12th Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
North 12th Street
29
Turn right onto Callowhill Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Callowhill Street
30
Turn left onto PA 611
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Broad Street
31
Turn slight right onto PA 611
49 ft
·
0 sec
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto PA 611
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
34
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
35
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 20-minute drive involves zero highway travel, plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid unnecessary congestion on smaller roads. With no formal stops required for a trip of this length, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route demands your full attention, so ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent steering adjustments. Because the entire 60.5-mile journey is local, verify your fuel levels before leaving Durham to avoid searching for stations on winding side roads. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to enjoy the local roads when they are at their quietest.
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 25.2 miles from Durham, PA, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.1 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 50.5 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.2 miles or 41m 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 9m
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 Durham, 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 Durham, PA
This is one driving day of about 50.5 miles and 1h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Durham, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Easton Road for about 12.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.2 mi from Durham, PA · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 50.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from Durham, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Philadelphia, 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
$8.36 one way
$16.71 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $9.14 | $18.29 |
| premium | $4.92 | $9.79 | $19.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.30 | $2.42 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.07 | $3.23 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Night in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
10:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
5 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 25m 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 Durham, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 50.5 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Easton Road, Fort Washington Expressway, Lower State Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.2 miles from Durham, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.36 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 50.5 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 21.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles (Lower State Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (Lower State Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Durham, PA to Philadelphia, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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