Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
56.2 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Millsboro, DE
Matt Barnard
Smyrna, DE
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Millsboro to Smyrna, this 56.2-mile journey is an efficient trek through Delaware that takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget about $9 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route involves a mix of local thoroughfares, including Gravel Hill Road, Bay Road, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. It is a straightforward drive within the Northeast region, ideal for those who prefer to stay off the major interstates and see more of the local landscape.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 56.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating through regional roads rather than high-speed lanes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 14.5-mile segment on Bay Road, which offers a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns. As you progress, the road environment shifts, requiring you to stay alert through the various transitions between local routes. This trip is best for drivers who enjoy a more active, hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to the predictable nature of typical highway travel.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
67 ft
Total Descent
59 ft
Highest Point
45 ft
~8 mi in
Elevation Range
33 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near DE 30 / Gravel Hill Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 19m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (DE 30 / Gravel Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 16.9 miles (DE 30 / Cedar Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto DE 30 / Gravel Hill Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto DE 30 / Cedar Creek Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward US 13: South Smyrna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Road | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| Gravel Hill Road | 13.8 mi | 21m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| Cedar Creek Road | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Isaacs Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Coastal Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Milford Bypass | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Millsboro, DE and Smyrna, DE.
Start on DE 24 Bus; DE 30
Continue on DE 24 Bus; DE 30
Turn left onto DE 30
Continue on DE 30
At end of road, turn left onto DE 30
Turn right onto Wilkins Road
Continue on Cedar Neck Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto DE 1
Continue on DE 1
Continue on DE 1
Continue on DE 1 Toll
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 13
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn right onto East South Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.1 mi from Millsboro, DE · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.1 miles from Millsboro, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Smyrna, 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.
Regular Gas
$9.32 one way
$18.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $10.20 | $20.41 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.90 | $21.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.90 | $2.70 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.87 | $3.60 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Millsboro on Friday
Local time
12:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
12:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
64°F
Milford, DE
28 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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