The drive from Smith, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 259.9 miles and takes about 5h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, Quaker Valley Road, William Penn Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
130 miles from Smith, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 259.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 25m highway drive covering 259.9 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Quaker Valley Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 181 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Quaker Valley Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in near PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 259.9 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 23 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 60.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
23 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
8
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m in|I 76
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
7
246.8 mi into trip|~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
8
253.8 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smith, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh
58.9 mi in|~1h 31m
Harrisburg
58.9 mi in|~1h 31m
Patp: Pittsburgh
60.1 mi in|~1h 34m
Philadelphia
241.7 mi in|~4h 51m|via I 76
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi
3h 16m
Quaker Valley Road
14.2 mi
20m
William Penn Highway
11.8 mi
16m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Cramer Pike
7.9 mi
13m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Cornell Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Cornell Road
2
Turn right onto Corporate Campus Drive
0.2 mi·37 sec·Corporate Campus Drive
3
Turn left onto US 22; US 119
12 mi·16 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
5
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi·13 min·Cramer Pike
6
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi·2 min·Cooper Avenue
7
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Iron Street
8
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·4th Avenue
9
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broad Street
10
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
11
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
2.1 mi·3 min·Johns Street
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
13
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Bedford Street
14
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
16
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
17
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
18
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
20
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
22
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
23
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
26
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi·7 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
35
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130 miles from Smith, PA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181 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 57 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130 miles or 2h 50m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smith, 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 Smith, PA
This is one driving day of about 259.9 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Smith, 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 for about 181 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130 mi from Smith, PA
· 2h 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 137.9 miles from Smith, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Upper Darby, PA
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 256.8
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 152.2
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 275.8
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.09 one way
$86.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.19
$94.38
premium
$4.93
$50.40
$100.81
diesel
$5.61
$57.38
$114.77
Estimated Tolls: $23.54
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181 mi)$23.54
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
$43
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78
0
$27.29
$12.48
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.74
$10.40
EV Truck/SUV
104
1
$36.39
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Smith, PA
Late night
in Smith on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Late night
in Upper Darby on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
14 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
5h 25m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Smith, PA to Upper Darby, PA covers 259.9 miles and takes about 5h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Quaker Valley Road, William Penn Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130 miles from Smith, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 259.9 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 23 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 60.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Smith, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
