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Trip from Newark, DE to Cheswold, DE

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

52m

Distance

38.6 mi

62 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 48m ★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States

Newark, DE

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cheswold, DE, DE

Cheswold, DE

Vladislovas Sketerskis

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick jaunt from Newark to Cheswold, you are looking at a manageable 38.6-mile journey that typically takes about 52 minutes. This trip stays entirely within Delaware, moving from the Northeast region down toward the central part of the state. Because the drive is short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you can easily make the round trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel, making this a highly cost-effective excursion. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to head straight to your destination or build in your own breaks along the way.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 38.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features no highway stretches. Your journey relies on navigating a mix of roads, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Wrangle Hill Road, and South Dupont Boulevard. You will spend your longest uninterrupted time on the road during a 22.7-mile stretch along the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the route is composed of local roads, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and shifting traffic patterns. It is a practical drive that keeps you engaged with the local landscape as you transition between these specific thoroughfares.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 22.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

128 ft 26 ft

Total Climb

85 ft

Total Descent

175 ft

Highest Point

128 ft

Elevation Range

102 ft

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 DE 273 / East Main Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 38.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (DE 273 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.9 miles (DE 4 / East Chestnut Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (DE 72 / South Chapel Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | DE 273 / East Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto DE 273 / East Main Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

4
1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | DE 4 / East Chestnut Hill Road

Turn left onto DE 4 / East Chestnut Hill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | DE 72 / South Chapel Street

Turn right onto DE 72 / South Chapel Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
10.2 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the ramp toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
6
13.7 mi into trip | ~21m in | DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 Newark, DE to Cheswold, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Beaches along the way.

Beaches

10.2 mi in | ~16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 22.7 mi 26m
Wrangle Hill Road 3.6 mi 5m
South Dupont Boulevard 2.7 mi 4m
Sunset Lake Road 2.5 mi 3m
South College Avenue 1.7 mi 2m
North Dupont Highway 1.5 mi 2m
South Chapel Street 1.4 mi 2m
East Chestnut Hill Road 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway — 22.7 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newark, DE and Cheswold, DE.

1

Start on this road

229 ft · 19 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto DE 273

0.2 mi · 43 sec · East Main Street
3

Turn left onto DE 896

1.7 mi · 2 min · South College Avenue
4

Turn left onto DE 4

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Chestnut Hill Road
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto DE 72

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Chapel Street
Use the right lane.
6

Continue on DE 72

2.5 mi · 3 min · Sunset Lake Road
7

Continue on DE 72

3.6 mi · 5 min · Wrangle Hill Road
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
9

Merge onto DE 1

3.1 mi · 3 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll

0.3 mi · 19 sec · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll

19 mi · 22 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward US 13: South Smyrna
13

Turn left onto US 13

2.7 mi · 4 min · South Dupont Boulevard
14

Continue on US 13

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Dupont Highway
15

Turn right onto DE 42

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

DE 42

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.3 mi from Newark, DE · 27m into the drive

census-designated place in Delaware, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bear, DE

19 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

Windy Way, DE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middletown, DE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Newark, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Cheswold, DE

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cheswold, DE if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.40 one way

$12.80 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $7.01 $14.02
premium $4.93 $7.49 $14.97
diesel $5.61 $8.52 $17.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.6 0 $4.05 $1.85
Efficient EV 9.7 0 $3.38 $1.54
EV Truck/SUV 15.4 0 $5.40 $2.47

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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 12, 2026

Origin

Newark, DE

Evening in Newark on Thursday

Local time

8:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°F

Mostly Clear

N 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Cheswold, DE

Evening in Cheswold on Thursday

Local time

8:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

24 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

52m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Newark, DE to Cheswold, DE covers 38.6 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Wrangle Hill Road, South Dupont Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.3 miles from Newark, DE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.40 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 38.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (DE 273 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.9 miles (DE 4 / East Chestnut Hill Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (DE 72 / South Chapel Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Newark, DE to Cheswold, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Beaches along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 26 ft to 128 ft elevation with about 85 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include First State National Historical Park.

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