Trip from Philadelphia, PA to McSherrystown, PA

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

125.7 mi

202 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m

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

Downtown Philadelphia, PA, PA

Philadelphia, PA

Samyantak Mohanty

Downtown McSherrystown, PA, PA

McSherrystown, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

The drive from Philadelphia, PA to McSherrystown, PA covers 125.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 30, Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.6 miles on US 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.80 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

62.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 125.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 30 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 39.6 miles on US 30.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 125.7 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 611 / East Penn Square

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
18.4 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown

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 328B-A/327 Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
18.5 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
18.8 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Mall Boulevard
7
19 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg

Towns Along This Route

Between Philadelphia, PA and McSherrystown, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg and Lancaster.

Chester

18.4 mi in | ~26m

Pottstown

18.4 mi in | ~26m

Harrisburg

19 mi in | ~27m

Lancaster

59.5 mi in | ~1h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 30 39.6 mi 1h 1m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 39.6 mi 42m
US 222 16.8 mi 20m
Schuylkill Expressway 16.8 mi 23m
Carlisle Pike 3.3 mi 4m
York Road 1.8 mi 2m
Vine Street Expressway 1 mi 1m
High Street 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 30 — 39.6 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and McSherrystown, PA.

1

Start on South Penn Square

397 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square
2

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611

0.1 mi · 19 sec · East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard

0.2 mi · 20 sec · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn right onto North 16th Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto I 676; US 30

1.0 mi · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 76; US 30

16 mi · 22 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327 Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
12

Merge onto I 76

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 76

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg Use the slight left lane.
14

Merge onto I 76; PATP

40 mi · 42 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 222: Reading, Lancaster Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
17

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
18

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
19

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
20

Merge onto US 222

15 mi · 17 min · US 222
21

Keep slight right at fork onto US 222

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 222
Toward US 30 West
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 30

29 mi · 42 min · US 30
Toward US 30 West: York
23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 30

11 mi · 19 min · US 30
Toward US 30 West: Gettysburg Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Enter roundabout onto US 30

94 ft · 2 sec · West King Street
25

Continue on US 30

0.7 mi · 1 min · West King Street
26

Continue on US 30

1.8 mi · 2 min · York Road
27

Turn left onto PA 94

3.3 mi · 4 min · Carlisle Pike
28

Continue on PA 94

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Carlisle Street
29

Turn right onto West Eisenhower Drive

0.2 mi · 38 sec · West Eisenhower Drive
30

Turn left onto High Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · High Street
31

Turn right onto West Elm Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Elm Avenue
32

Arrive at destination

PA 116

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.6 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 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.9 miles or 1h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McSherrystown, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA

This is one driving day of about 125.7 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Philadelphia, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 39.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.9 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 1h 17m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

63 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in McSherrystown, PA

The final approach into McSherrystown, 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 McSherrystown, 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

$20.80 one way

$41.60 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $22.76 $45.52
premium $4.92 $24.36 $48.72
diesel $5.64 $27.93 $55.85

Estimated Tolls: $5.15

Pennsylvania Turnpike (39.6 mi) $5.15

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

$21

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.7 0 $13.20 $6.03
Efficient EV 31.4 0 $11.00 $5.03
EV Truck/SUV 50.3 0 $17.60 $8.04

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Philadelphia, PA

Morning in Philadelphia on Monday

Local time

8:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McSherrystown, PA

Morning in McSherrystown on Monday

Local time

8:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°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

15 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 51m 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 Philadelphia, PA to McSherrystown, PA covers 125.7 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.80 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 125.7 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Philadelphia, PA and McSherrystown, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg and Lancaster.

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Return Trip

McSherrystown, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

126.5 mi 2h 52m

Explore more options from Philadelphia, PA or browse trips ending in McSherrystown, PA.

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