Origin
Penn, PA
Afternoon in Penn on Wednesday
Local time
12:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 24m
Distance
281.3 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penn, PA
George Becker
This 281.3-mile journey from Penn to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend about 96% of your time on major expressways, making it an efficient trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $47, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The Northeast region of Pennsylvania provides the backdrop for this drive, which is largely uninterrupted, featuring a longest stretch of 259.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Plan for a straightforward, albeit long, day behind the wheel.
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
140.6 miles from Penn, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Loading map...
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 281.3-mile trip. With 96% of the route on highways, this is not a winding scenic byway but rather a direct path. The Pennsylvania Turnpike forms the backbone of this journey, offering a longest uninterrupted stretch of 259.5 miles. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent speed and minimal navigation challenges. The Mid-County Expressway and I-76 are also key components, reinforcing the character of a swift, direct transit between your origin and destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Harrison Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 281.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Harrison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 263 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 Harrison Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto 11th Street
Navigation decision point
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Penn, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.
Philadelphia
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 259.5 mi | 4h 42m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Penn Adamsburg Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Wendel Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Locust Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Penn, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
Start on North Railroad Street
Turn right onto Harrison Avenue
Turn right onto Locust Street
At end of road, turn right onto 11th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Coal Street
Turn left onto South Youghogheny Street
Continue on Penn Adamsburg Road
Continue on Edna Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 30
Take the exit
Turn left onto Wendel Road
Turn left onto 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
Given the 5-hour, 24-minute duration, an early morning departure is recommended to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 281.3-mile drive. While the route is predominantly highway, plan for one stop to break up the longest stretch of 259.5 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $47 is manageable, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially during extended highway segments. A practical tip for this route: be aware that the Pennsylvania Turnpike can have variable traffic, particularly closer to urban areas, so factor in potential delays as you approach Upper Darby.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 38m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Penn, 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 Penn, PA
This is one driving day of about 281.3 miles and 5h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.6 mi from Penn, PA · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 140.6 miles from Penn, 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 259.5 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
$46.64 one way
$93.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $51.08 | $102.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $54.55 | $109.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.11 | $124.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $33.73
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
$47
Tolls
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.54 | $13.50 |
| Efficient EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.61 | $11.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.5 | 1 | $39.38 | $18.00 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Afternoon in Penn on Wednesday
Local time
12:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Upper Darby on Wednesday
Local time
12:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Penn, PA or browse trips ending in Upper Darby, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for Penn, PA or Upper Darby, PA on MapSof.net.