This 290.6-mile journey from Fairchance, PA to Upper Darby, PA is a feasible one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 92% of the drive utilizing major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Mon/Fayette Expressway. Budget approximately $48 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop along the way. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 236.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This is a straightforward, efficient drive primarily within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.3 miles from Fairchance, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 290.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive being on major expressways. You'll be spending a significant amount of time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a lengthy 236.3-mile segment where the road offers a consistent driving pace. The Mon/Fayette Expressway and Pleasant Valley Road will also contribute to the highway feel, ensuring a relatively fast and direct transit. While mostly high-speed, the inclusion of shorter segments on local roads like Pleasant Valley Road might offer a brief change of scenery before rejoining the expressways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 236.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mon/Fayette Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 290.6 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 35.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 272.3 miles (I 76): 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.
5
35.7 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the ramp toward PATP, I 70, I 76
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
5
35.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
272.3 mi into trip|~5h 9m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
7
277.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
8
284.4 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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 Fairchance, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.
Patp
35.7 mi in|~50m
Philadelphia
272.3 mi in|~5h 9m|via I 76
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
236.3 mi
4h 17m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
12.2 mi
14m
Pleasant Valley Road
7.9 mi
13m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
PA 31
6 mi
9m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
South 8th Street
3.9 mi
4m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairchance, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on PA 857
0.7 mi·1 min·North Morgantown Street
2
Continue on PA 857
2.3 mi·4 min·Georges Fairchance Road
3
Continue on US 119
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 119
4
Merge onto US 119
12 mi·14 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
5
Continue on US 119
2.2 mi·2 min·Morrell Avenue
6
Continue on US 119
3.9 mi·4 min·South 8th Street
7
Take the exit
244 ft·6 sec
8
Turn straight onto PA 982
7.9 mi·13 min·Pleasant Valley Road
9
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·PA 31
10
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·33 sec
11
Turn left
28 ft·3 sec
12
Take the ramp
493 ft·12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
14
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
236 mi·4 hr 17 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi·7 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
23
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 43-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Upper Darby. With 92% of the drive on highways and a longest stretch of 236.3 miles, plan for your single recommended stop to be around the halfway point for fuel and a break. Given the substantial highway share, staying alert is key, especially during the long stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before departing Fairchance.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.3 miles from Fairchance, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 64 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.3 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairchance, 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 Fairchance, PA
This is one driving day of about 290.6 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Fairchance, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 236.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.3 mi from Fairchance, PA
· 2h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 170.3
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 270.5
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 70.1
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 290.6
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.2
1
$30.51
$13.95
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.43
$11.62
EV Truck/SUV
116.2
1
$40.68
$18.60
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Fairchance, PA
Morning
in Fairchance on Friday
Local time
11:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Morning
in Upper Darby on Friday
Local time
11:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Isolated Rain Showers
NW 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
73°F
Hancock, MD
145 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
2 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
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairchance, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Mon/Fayette Expressway, Pleasant Valley Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.3 miles from Fairchance, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 290.6 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 35.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 272.3 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fairchance, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Flight 93 National Memorial. There are 6 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
