Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Night in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 45m
Distance
291.3 mi
469 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Embarking on the 291.3-mile journey from Upper Darby to Buffington is a commitment that requires focus, as the trip takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it is best suited as a single-day push for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience. You should budget about $47 for fuel to cover the distance across Pennsylvania. While the drive remains within the Northeast region, the transition from the suburbs of Upper Darby to the more remote setting of Buffington offers a distinct change in scenery. It is a straightforward trip, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
145.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Your journey begins on South Lansdowne Avenue, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip, before transitioning onto Darby Road and West Chester Pike. Because you will be navigating local roads for the entirety of the 291.3 miles, you will need to remain alert to constant changes in road geometry. This is not a route for cruise control; instead, it demands your full attention as you wind your way through the state. The character of the drive is defined by its technical nature and the absence of high-speed interstate travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 45m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Upper Darby, PA to Buffington, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Lansdowne Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Darby Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Chester Pike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 476 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mid-County Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 76 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Schuylkill Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 202 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Buffington, PA.
Start on West Providence Road
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Continue on Darby Road
Turn slight left onto West Chester Pike
Take the exit slight right toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Merge slight left onto Mid-County Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Keep slight left to continue on US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Keep slight left to continue on Mall Boulevard
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
Turn right onto State Route 31
Continue on Three Mile Hill
Turn left
Turn left onto Memorial Boulevard
Turn straight onto Blackstone Road
Merge slight left onto Morrell Avenue
Turn slight right onto University Drive
Take the exit slight right toward US 40 West, US 40 Business: Main Street
Turn right onto National Pike
Turn left onto New Salem Road
Continue on East Main Street
Continue on Front Street
Turn right onto One Way Road
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
Since the trip takes nearly six hours, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you arrive at your destination before dark. With only one recommended stop, you should plan your break strategically to maximize your efficiency on these slower local roads. Keep in mind that because you are not utilizing highways, your pace will be dictated by local traffic patterns and the winding nature of the route. I suggest keeping a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day, as local roads can sometimes lead you further from service stations than a major interstate would. Use the flexibility of this route to adjust your speed based on the conditions you encounter on the turn-heavy segments.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 2h 52m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffington, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, PA
This is one driving day of about 291.3 miles and 5h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.7 mi from Upper Darby, PA · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Buffington, 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 Buffington, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$48.20 one way
$96.40 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $52.74 | $105.49 |
| premium | $4.92 | $56.45 | $112.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.72 | $129.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
| Efficient EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.49 | $11.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.78 | $18.64 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Night in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Buffington on Sunday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
146 mi in
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
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
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.
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