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Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Nicholson, PA

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

144.6 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m

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

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Nicholson, PA, PA

Nicholson, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

The drive from Philadelphia, PA to Nicholson, PA covers 144.6 miles and takes about 2h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Schuylkill Expressway, US 11 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.97 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

72.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 2h 59m highway drive covering 144.6 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 111.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 111.4 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 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 21 significant decision points across 144.6 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 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.
6
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Ai...
7
14.1 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
129.5 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 11, US 6 West: Scranton, Clarks Summit

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

Toward US 11, US 6 West: Scranton, Clarks Summi...
7
129.7 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward US 6 West, US 11 North: Clarks Summit

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

Toward US 6 West, US 11 North: Clarks Summit

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Philadelphia, PA and Nicholson, PA, road signs point toward Scranton and Clarks Summit.

Scranton

128.8 mi in | ~2h 30m | via I 476; PATP

Clarks Summit

129.5 mi in | ~2h 32m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 111.4 mi 2h 5m
Schuylkill Expressway 12.1 mi 17m
US 11 5 mi 8m
Lackawanna Trail 4.4 mi 7m
Mid-County Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
South Abington Road 3.4 mi 6m
Vine Street Expressway 1 mi 1m
East Main Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 111.4 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Nicholson, 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

12 mi · 17 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 476

3.3 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway
10

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway
11

Continue on I 476; PATP

111 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on I 476; PATP

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 131 Toward I 81, US 6, US 11: Clarks Summit, Scranton
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 11, US 6 West: Scranton, Clarks Summit
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.2 mi · 30 sec · US 6
Toward US 6 West, US 11 North: Clarks Summit
15

Merge onto US 6; US 11

232 ft · 5 sec · Northern Boulevard
16

Take the exit

296 ft · 8 sec
17

Turn straight onto PA 407

3.4 mi · 6 min · South Abington Road
18

Turn left onto PA 632

0.8 mi · 1 min · Clinton Street
19

Continue on PA 632

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
20

Turn right onto Mill Street

124 ft · 4 sec · Mill Street
21

Take the ramp

344 ft · 11 sec
22

Merge onto US 6; US 11

4.4 mi · 7 min · Lackawanna Trail
Use the straight lane.
23

Turn straight onto US 11

5.0 mi · 8 min · US 11
Use the straight lane.
24

Turn left onto Walnut Street

399 ft · 19 sec · Walnut Street
25

Turn left onto Main Street

246 ft · 12 sec · Main Street
26

Turn left onto Oak Street

46 ft · 2 sec · Oak Street
27

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

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 72.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 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 72.3 miles or 1h 27m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholson, 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 144.6 miles and 2h 59m.

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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 111.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.3 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 1h 27m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

72 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.

Arriving in Nicholson, PA

The final approach into Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.97 one way

$47.95 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $26.26 $52.51
premium $4.93 $28.04 $56.09
diesel $5.61 $31.93 $63.85

Estimated Tolls: $14.48

Pennsylvania Turnpike (111.4 mi) $14.48

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

$24

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.18 $6.94
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.65 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.24 $9.25

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Philadelphia, PA

Night in Philadelphia on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Nicholson, PA

Night in Nicholson on Tuesday

Local time

10:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

40°F

Ramapo, NY

72 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

9 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 59m 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 Nicholson, PA covers 144.6 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, US 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.3 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 $23.97 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 21 significant decision points across 144.6 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Nicholson, PA, road signs point toward Scranton and Clarks Summit.

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