Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
62.1 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
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
Frankford, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Smyrna to Frankford covers 62.1 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes, making it a manageable day trip within Delaware. You will navigate a mix of roads, primarily utilizing Bay Road, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and US 113 to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an affordable excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Whether you are heading toward the lower part of the state for business or a visit, this route offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region. It serves as a practical connection for those looking to traverse the state efficiently without needing multiple days of travel.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 62.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this 62.1-mile route features a 53% highway share. The drive shifts between faster, high-speed sections and more local, mixed-road driving as you progress toward Frankford. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 113, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 32.8 miles. Because the road conditions fluctuate, you should remain alert to the transition from highway speeds to local traffic patterns. This blend of road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind while still allowing you to cover ground effectively.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
80 ft
Total Descent
77 ft
Highest Point
51 ft
~38.8 mi in
Elevation Range
48 ft
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 1.4 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.1 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward DE 1 Toll South: Dover, Beaches
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 113; DE 1 Business toward US 113 South, DE 1 Business: Milford, Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Smyrna, DE to Frankford, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Georgetown along the way.
Georgetown
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 113 | 32.8 mi | 47m |
| Bay Road | 14.7 mi | 19m |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| South Dupont Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Daisey Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East South Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, DE and Frankford, DE.
Start on East South Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Merge onto US 13
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
Continue on DE 1
Keep slight right at fork onto US 113; DE 1 Business
Turn left onto Daisey Street
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
Continue on Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.1 mi from Smyrna, DE · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Smyrna, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Frankford, 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.
Regular Gas
$10.30 one way
$20.59 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.28 | $22.55 |
| premium | $4.93 | $12.04 | $24.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.71 | $27.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Morning in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
11:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
Destination
Morning in Frankford on Friday
Local time
11:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
64°F
Milford, DE
31 mi in
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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