Origin
Smyrna, DE
Evening in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smyrna, DE to Blades, DE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
50.6 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Fair
2 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smyrna, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Blades, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Smyrna, DE to Blades, DE covers 50.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Dupont Highway, Sussex Highway, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.2 miles on South Dupont Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 50.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 6m drive with frequent turns across 50.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Dupont Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward DE 1 Toll: Dover, Beaches, Wilmington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward DE 1 Toll: Dover, Beaches, Wilmington
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
4
9.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
12.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Puncheon Run Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Puncheon Run Connector toward Salisbury, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 97
Toward Salisbury, Norfolk
4
50.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
South Market Street
Turn left onto South Market Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smyrna, DE and Blades, DE, road signs point toward Salisbury and Norfolk.
Salisbury
12.7 mi in
|
~16m
|
via Puncheon Run Connector
Norfolk
12.7 mi in
|
~16m
|
via Puncheon Run Connector
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Dupont Highway | 21.2 mi | 26m |
| Sussex Highway | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| Puncheon Run Connector | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| East High Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Concord Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Dupont Highway
— 21.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, DE and Blades, DE.
1
Start on East South Street
44 ft
·
8 sec
·
East South Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Merge onto US 13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dupont Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward DE 1 Toll: Dover, Beaches, Wilmington
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
6
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Puncheon Run Connector
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Puncheon Run Connector
Exit 97
Toward Salisbury, Norfolk
9
Turn left onto US 13
21 mi
·
26 min
·
South Dupont Highway
10
Continue on US 13
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Sussex Highway
11
Turn right onto Concord Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Concord Road
12
Continue on East High Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East High Street
13
Turn left onto South Market Street
94 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Market Street
14
Arrive at destination
South Market Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.3 mi from Smyrna, DE · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.3 miles from Smyrna, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Blades, DE
The final approach into Blades, DE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.39 one way
$16.78 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.19 | $18.38 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.81 | $19.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
| Efficient EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.08 | $3.24 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Blades, DE
Evening in Blades on Friday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Felton, DE
25 mi in
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
1 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
1h 6m 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 Smyrna, DE to Blades, DE covers 50.6 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Dupont Highway, Sussex Highway, Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.3 miles from Smyrna, DE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Smyrna, DE and Blades, DE, road signs point toward Salisbury and Norfolk.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Blades, DE
More trips to Blades, DE
Explore more options from Smyrna, DE or browse trips ending in Blades, DE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse DE road trips.