Origin
Radnor, PA
Evening in Radnor on Sunday
Local time
7:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Radnor, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Drive Time
28m
Distance
17.9 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Radnor, PA
Haneul Trac
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Trip Overview
Traveling from Radnor to Philadelphia is a quick, straightforward journey covering 17.9 miles within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. You can expect to reach your destination in about 27 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a modest fuel budget of just $3, this drive is highly economical for those commuting between the suburbs and the city. Because the entire route remains within the same state, you will not need to worry about regional transitions or crossing state lines. It is a practical, no-fuss trip that offers maximum flexibility for your schedule.
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
8.9 miles from Radnor, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, you will spend your entire 27-minute trip navigating local roads. This profile means you should be prepared for frequent stops, changing speed limits, and the stop-and-go nature of suburban-to-urban transit. You will not encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches of road, so stay alert and focused on the turns ahead. It is a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention throughout the 17.9-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 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Schuylkill Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Schuylkill Expressway and Matsonford Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 17.9 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: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
At end of road, turn left
Navigation decision point
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~26m 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...
6
17.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Central Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Central Philadelphia
9
17.3 mi into trip
|
~27m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill Expressway | 13.9 mi | 19m |
| Matsonford Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Gulph Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Penn Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Archbishop Carroll Driveway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Schuylkill Expressway
— 13.9 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Radnor, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on this road
302 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left
0.1 mi
·
43 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto Archbishop Carroll Driveway
192 ft
·
17 sec
·
Archbishop Carroll Driveway
4
Turn right onto Matsonford Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Matsonford Road
5
Turn left onto PA 320
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Gulph Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 76
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
13
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
14
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Given the short 17.9-mile distance, you have significant flexibility regarding when you choose to depart. Since there are zero planned stops on this route, you can easily complete the drive in under half an hour if traffic conditions are favorable. Make sure to account for local congestion, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads can slow your progress during peak commuting hours. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, though the short duration means you will likely not need to worry about mid-trip refueling. My best advice is to check your navigation app right before you leave Radnor to ensure you have the most efficient path through the local streets.
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 8.9 miles from Radnor, PA, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.9 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 17.9 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.9 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
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 Radnor, 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 Radnor, PA
This is one driving day of about 17.9 miles and 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Radnor, 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 Schuylkill Expressway for about 13.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.9 mi from Radnor, PA · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.9 miles from Radnor, 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
$2.96 one way
$5.92 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.24 | $6.48 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.47 | $6.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.98 | $7.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.88 | $0.86 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.57 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.51 | $1.15 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
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
2 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
28m 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 Radnor, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 17.9 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Schuylkill Expressway, Matsonford Road, Vine Street Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.9 miles from Radnor, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.96 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 17.9 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: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Radnor, PA to Philadelphia, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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