Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
35m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smyrna, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Delaware City, DE
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick excursion in Delaware, the 26.1-mile trip from Smyrna to Delaware City is a perfect candidate for a single-day outing. You can expect to spend about 35 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Northeast locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the drive is highly economical and requires no overnight stops. Navigating via the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Wrangle Hill Road, and South Dupont Parkway, you will experience a straightforward transition between these two points. Because the entire route remains within the state of Delaware, you won't have to worry about crossing regional boundaries or adjusting your travel plans for long-distance logistics.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 35m. Total distance: 26.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your focus more than a standard interstate cruise. While you will spend 18.4 miles of your journey on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the route is not a monotonous highway grind, as only 6% of the trip is comprised of major highway driving. The transition from the high-speed sections onto Wrangle Hill Road and South Dupont Parkway creates a distinct shift in pace. You should prepare for a mix of technical road segments that keep the drive engaging from start to finish. This profile offers a grounded, hands-on experience for drivers who prefer local roads over long stretches of highway.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
130 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
58 ft
~3.3 mi in
Elevation Range
55 ft
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 early in the drive near South Main Street.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 26.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (DE 6 / East Commerce Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto DE 6 / East Commerce Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward DE 72: Delaware City, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 13; DE 72 / Wrangle Hill Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Smyrna, DE to Delaware City, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Newark along the way.
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Wrangle Hill Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Dupont Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Dupont Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Clinton Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Commerce Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, DE and Delaware City, DE.
Start on East South Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Turn right onto DE 6
Turn left onto US 13
Continue on US 13
Continue on US 13
Continue on US 13
Turn left
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 13; DE 72
Continue on DE 9
Turn left onto Clinton Street
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$4.33 one way
$8.65 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.06 | $10.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.76 | $11.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Smyrna on Thursday
Local time
2:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Delaware City on Thursday
Local time
2:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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