Origin
Palmer, PA
Night in Palmer on Sunday
Local time
9:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
6h 3m
Distance
297.8 mi
479 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer, PA
Nothing Ahead
Traveling from Palmer to Upper Darby covers 297.8 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $49 for fuel will keep your tank full as you traverse the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The trip relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 119, and Pleasant Valley Road to get you to your destination efficiently. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that prioritizes speed and reliability, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach the Philadelphia area without unnecessary detours.
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
148.9 miles from Palmer, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed experience, as 90% of this 297.8-mile trek takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 236.3-mile stretch of the journey. This highway-focused profile means you can settle into a steady rhythm, though the driving environment will shift once you transition from the turnpike onto US 119 and Pleasant Valley Road. While the interstate segments provide a consistent, fast-paced atmosphere, the final portions of the route offer a change of pace as you navigate toward Upper Darby. Prepare for a drive that prioritizes miles covered over winding, technical backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 119. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near US 40 / National Pike.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 297.8 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 13 miles (US 40 / National Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.6 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 40 / National Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Between Palmer, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.
Patp
Philadelphia
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 236.3 mi | 4h 17m |
| US 119 | 15 mi | 17m |
| Pleasant Valley Road | 7.9 mi | 13m |
| New Salem Road | 7.7 mi | 13m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| PA 31 | 6 mi | 9m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
Start on Tank Hill Road
Turn right onto Palmer Road
Continue on Sr3013
Continue on Palmer Adah Road
Turn right onto Ralph Road
Turn left onto PA 166
Continue on PA 166
Continue on PA 166
Turn slight right onto New Salem Road
Continue on Front Street
Continue on West Main Street
Continue on New Salem Road
Turn right onto US 40
Take the exit
Merge onto US 119
Take the exit
Turn straight onto PA 982
Turn right onto PA 31
Turn slight left
Turn left
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
Take the exit onto I 76
Take the exit
Merge onto I 476
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 3
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
Turn right onto West Providence Road
Arrive at destination
Planning for this 6-hour journey is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop to keep your energy levels high. Since the route is concentrated on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, keep an eye on traffic patterns and toll considerations before you depart. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to bypass potential congestion as you approach the more populated regions near your destination. Use your single stop to refuel or stretch your legs during the longest 236.3-mile stretch of the turnpike. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor your fuel consumption closely to ensure your $49 budget covers the entire distance effectively.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 80 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.9 miles or 3h 7m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Palmer, 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 Palmer, PA
This is one driving day of about 297.8 miles and 6h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.9 mi from Palmer, PA · 3h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 148.9 miles from Palmer, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 miles.
The final approach into Upper Darby, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Upper Darby, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.28 one way
$98.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $53.92 | $107.84 |
| premium | $4.92 | $57.71 | $115.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.16 | $132.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $30.72
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
$49
Tolls
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.27 | $14.29 |
| Efficient EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.06 | $11.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.69 | $19.06 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Palmer on Sunday
Local time
9:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
9:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
149 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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