Origin
Palmerton, PA
Evening in Palmerton on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmerton, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
82.6 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmerton, PA
Nothing Ahead
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Trip Overview
Traveling from Palmerton to Philadelphia covers 82.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a simple day trip, as it connects the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to the state's largest city without requiring an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $13, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to reach the city quickly. Because the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You will find that this straightforward journey keeps your travel logistics minimal, allowing you to focus your energy on your time in Philadelphia.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Palmerton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route involves zero highway miles. Navigating these local roads requires your full attention, as the path demands constant adjustments behind the wheel. You will experience a winding journey that shifts away from the typical high-speed highway experience found elsewhere in the state. This technical, local-focused drive keeps you engaged with the landscape as you transition from the smaller community of Palmerton toward the urban environment of Philadelphia. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive feels dynamic and requires consistent focus throughout the entire 82.7-mile distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 56.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 64.2 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 82.6 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 64.2 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
67.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Towns Along This Route
Between Palmerton, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Valley Forge.
Patp
7.8 mi in
|
~11m
Valley Forge
67.9 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 56.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| PA 248 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Interchange Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Delaware Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 56.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmerton, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on this road
136 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Delaware Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Delaware Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
4
Merge onto PA 248
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 248
5
Turn right onto US 209
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Interchange Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
8
Merge onto I 476; PATP
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 476
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
20
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
21
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever works best for your schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can make the 1 hour and 29 minute duration feel more taxing than a standard highway drive, so plan for a steady pace. You will not need to worry about multiple stops for fuel given the reasonable $13 cost, but it is wise to ensure your tank is ready before leaving Palmerton. Pay close attention to local signage, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be navigating through local intersections rather than following major interstate markers. Being comfortable with frequent turns and local navigation is the key to a stress-free arrival in the city.
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 41.3 miles from Palmerton, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 48m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palmerton, 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 Palmerton, PA
This is one driving day of about 82.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palmerton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 56.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Palmerton, PA · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Palmerton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Philadelphia, PA
The final approach into Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.67 one way
$27.34 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $14.96 | $29.91 |
| premium | $4.92 | $16.01 | $32.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.35 | $36.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.30
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(56.1 mi)
$7.30
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
$14
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.67 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.23 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Philadelphia, PA
Evening in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
6 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
1h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Palmerton, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 82.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Schuylkill Expressway, PA 248. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Palmerton, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.67 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 16 significant decision points across 82.6 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: at 64.2 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Palmerton, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Valley Forge.
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