Traveling from Newark to Frankford is a straightforward 94.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. Because this route stays entirely within Delaware, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Your path primarily utilizes the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, US 113, and Bay Road. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a practical, direct connection between the northern and southern parts of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Newark, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 94.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 94.2-mile corridor. About 35% of your travel time will be spent on highways, providing a blend of high-speed transit and slower, more local road segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 35.8-mile segment along the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which allows for consistent pacing. As you transition between these major arteries, the road’s personality shifts from the faster highway sections to the more variable conditions found on US 113 and Bay Road. It is a functional drive that requires steady attention as you move through Delaware's varying traffic environments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 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 35.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
128 ft13 ft
Total Climb
115 ft
Total Descent
208 ft
Highest Point
128 ft
Elevation Range
114 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near DE 273 / East Main Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 94.2 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: 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 13.7 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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.
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.
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 113; DE 1 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto US 113; DE 1 Business toward US 113 South, DE 1 Business: Milford, Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 113 South, DE 1 Business: Milford, Ge...
5
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, DE and Frankford, DE, road signs point toward Beaches and Georgetown.
Beaches
10.2 mi in|~16m
Georgetown
61.1 mi in|~1h 18m|via US 113; DE 1 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
35.8 mi
41m
US 113
32.8 mi
47m
Bay Road
14.7 mi
19m
Wrangle Hill Road
3.6 mi
5m
Sunset Lake Road
2.5 mi
3m
South College Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
South Chapel Street
1.4 mi
2m
East Chestnut Hill Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 35.8 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, DE and Frankford, 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
28 mi·32 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
3.0 mi·3 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Continue on DE 1
15 mi·19 min·Bay Road
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 113; DE 1 Business
33 mi·47 min·US 113; DE 1 Business
Toward US 113 South, DE 1 Business: Milford, Georgetown
16
Turn left onto Daisey Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·Daisey Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
171 ft·6 sec·Main Street
18
Continue on Main Street
116 ft·4 sec·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 94.2-mile trip, the relatively short duration means you can easily drive straight through or take a break whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as setting aside $16 for gas will cover your needs for the entire journey. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor traffic patterns on US 113, as this road acts as a primary artery and can be the most variable part of your travel experience.
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 47.1 miles from Newark, DE, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.8 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frankford, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newark, DE 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 Newark, DE
This is one driving day of about 94.2 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Newark, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 35.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.62 one way
$31.23 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.10
$34.21
premium
$4.93
$18.27
$36.54
diesel
$5.61
$20.80
$41.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.89
$4.52
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.19
$6.03
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Newark, DE
Morning
in Newark on Friday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Frankford, DE
Morning
in Frankford on Friday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
23 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
2h 7m 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 Frankford, DE covers 94.2 miles and takes about 2h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, US 113, Bay Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.1 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 $15.62 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 13 significant decision points across 94.2 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: 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 13.7 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Newark, DE and Frankford, DE, road signs point toward Beaches and Georgetown.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 13 ft to 128 ft elevation with about 115 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include First State National Historical Park.
