Origin
Lykens, PA
Afternoon in Lykens on Saturday
Local time
2:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lykens, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
115.8 mi
186 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lykens, PA
tengu jack
Trip Overview
Lykens to Upper Darby is 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 46m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive stays within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the Northeast region. Expect a mixed driving profile that balances highway speeds with some local road segments. With a total duration under three hours and a modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick transition or a day trip without significant planning.
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
57.9 miles from Lykens, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 27.5 mi | 29m |
| Main Street | 14.5 mi | 22m |
| PA 183 | 14.4 mi | 23m |
| Morgantown Expressway | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| William Penn Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lancaster Avenue | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 27.5 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lykens, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Market Street
117 ft
·
9 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn right onto US 209
14 mi
·
22 min
·
Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward PA 125: Ravine
6
Turn right onto Molleystown Road
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Molleystown Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto PA 125
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Tremont Road
8
Continue on PA 125
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Tulpehocken Street
9
Turn left onto PA 895
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Wood Street
10
Continue on PA 895
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Rock Road
11
Turn right onto PA 501
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Bethel Road
12
Continue on PA 501
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 78; US 22
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
William Penn Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 183: Strausstown
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto PA 183
14 mi
·
23 min
·
PA 183
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 222 South: Lancaster
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto US 222
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 222
19
Continue on West Shore Bypass
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
West Shore Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 176 South: Morgantown
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 176
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Morgantown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 76; PATP
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 76
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
32
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 46 minutes, this drive is easily accomplished in a single day. Consider departing in the mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Philadelphia area. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is about 27.5 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before you get on the Turnpike for a longer segment. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.9 miles from Lykens, PA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 25 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
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 Lykens, 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 Lykens, PA
This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lykens, 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 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Lykens, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 29.6 and 109.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
29.6 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
8
97.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
109.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.20 one way
$38.40 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.03 | $42.05 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.46 | $44.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.57 | $51.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.57
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(27.5 mi)
$3.57
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
$19
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.16 | $5.56 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.13 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Afternoon in Upper Darby on Saturday
Local time
2:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
56°F
Reading, PA
58 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
2h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 95.8
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$1
near mile 115.8
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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 115.8
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 24
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 87.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey offers a mixed driving experience, with 60% of the route utilizing highways. You'll encounter stretches of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including one uninterrupted segment of 27.5 miles, which allows for steady progress. The drive also incorporates local roads like Main Street and PA 183, introducing more varied traffic patterns and lower speed limits. As you approach your destination, the character shifts from open highway to more urban and suburban road conditions.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 29.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 115.8 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 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lykens, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Philadelphia and Broomall.
Philadelphia
97.5 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via I 76
Broomall
109.6 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.57 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Upper Darby, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Upper Darby, PA before heading back.
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.
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