Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Evening in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to North Wales, PA
Drive Time
42m
Distance
22.3 mi
36 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
North Wales, PA
Lisa from Pexels
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from the urban core of Philadelphia, PA, to the suburban setting of North Wales, PA, this 22.3-mile trip is an efficient option. Expect the drive to take approximately 41 minutes, making it a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day. You will not need to worry about overnight stays for this short transit between these two Northeast locations. Budgeting roughly $4 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since there are no planned stops required, you can manage the trip in one go without much logistical overhead.
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
11.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate away from the city. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you will be sticking to local roads for the duration of the 22.3-mile trip. This route lacks the monotonous rhythm of an interstate, instead requiring you to stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. You will find that the personality of the drive remains consistent throughout the 41-minute duration. It is a technical, hands-on experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fort Washington Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 22.3 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 0.2 miles (PA 611 / North Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Race Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese 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
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 611 / North Broad Street
Turn right onto PA 611 / North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Race Street
Turn right onto Race Street
Navigation decision point
7
18 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward Norristown Road, Spring House
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Norristown Road, Spring House
5
18.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
Norristown Road
Turn left onto Norristown Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Philadelphia, PA to North Wales, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Spring House along the way.
Spring House
18 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Washington Expressway | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| Ogontz Avenue | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Sumneytown Pike | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| North 11th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Old York Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Norristown Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Belfield Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Germantown Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Fort Washington Expressway
— 7.8 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and North Wales, 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
Turn right onto PA 611
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Broad Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto Race Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Race Street
5
Turn left onto North 11th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North 11th Street
6
Turn right onto West Silver Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Silver Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto Germantown Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Germantown Avenue
8
Turn slight right onto Old York Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Old York Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn slight left onto Belfield Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Belfield Avenue
10
Turn right onto Ogontz Avenue
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ogontz Avenue
11
Continue on PA 309
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Limekiln Pike
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on PA 309
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Fort Washington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Norristown Road, Spring House
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Norristown Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Norristown Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on Sumneytown Pike
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Sumneytown Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
17
Turn right onto US 202 Alternate Truck
18 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Walnut Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 202 Alternate Truck
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, local drive, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can depart whenever it is most convenient for your day, as there is no need to worry about long-distance pacing or meal breaks. Since you will be navigating local streets for the entire 22.3-mile stretch, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. With a low fuel cost of $4, you do not need to stress about finding the cheapest gas station along the way. Simply top off your tank before you leave Philadelphia to ensure a stress-free arrival in North Wales.
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 11.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.8 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 22.3 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.1 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Wales, 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 22.3 miles and 42m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Fort Washington Expressway for about 7.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.1 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 22.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North Wales, PA
The final approach into North Wales, 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 North Wales, 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
$3.69 one way
$7.38 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.04 | $8.08 |
| premium | $4.92 | $4.32 | $8.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.95 | $9.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
North Wales, PA
Evening in North Wales on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
17 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
42m 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 North Wales, PA covers 22.3 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fort Washington Expressway, Ogontz Avenue, Sumneytown Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.1 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 $3.69 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 11 significant decision points across 22.3 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 0.2 miles (PA 611 / North Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (Race Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Philadelphia, PA to North Wales, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Spring House along the way.
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