Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Buffington, PA

Drive 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Lansdowne Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 3/10

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.

Main Roads

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.

Longest stretch: South Lansdowne Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Buffington, PA.

1

Start on West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 46 sec · West Providence Road
2

Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · South Lansdowne Avenue
3

Continue on Darby Road

472 ft · 14 sec · Darby Road
4

Turn slight left onto West Chester Pike

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Chester Pike
5

Take the exit slight right toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

0.4 mi · 58 sec · I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6

Merge slight left onto Mid-County Expressway

7.0 mi · 9 min · Mid-County Expressway
7

Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Valley Forge

0.4 mi · 53 sec · I 76 West: Valley Forge
8

Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway

3.7 mi · 5 min · Schuylkill Expressway
9

Take the exit slight right toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown

0.1 mi · 10 sec · US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
10

Keep slight left to continue on US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road

0.3 mi · 22 sec · US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
11

Keep slight left to continue on Mall Boulevard

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Mall Boulevard
12

Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13

Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Schuylkill Expressway
14

Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 76 West: Harrisburg
15

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

237 mi · 4 hr 18 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
16

Take the exit slight right toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown

0.3 mi · 1 min · PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
17

Turn right onto State Route 31

6.0 mi · 9 min · State Route 31
18

Continue on Three Mile Hill

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Three Mile Hill
19

Turn left

8.0 mi · 13 min
20

Turn left onto Memorial Boulevard

4.0 mi · 4 min · Memorial Boulevard
21

Turn straight onto Blackstone Road

0.6 mi · 40 sec · Blackstone Road
22

Merge slight left onto Morrell Avenue

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Morrell Avenue
23

Turn slight right onto University Drive

9.9 mi · 11 min · University Drive
24

Take the exit slight right toward US 40 West, US 40 Business: Main Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 40 West, US 40 Business: Main Street
25

Turn right onto National Pike

0.5 mi · 1 min · National Pike
26

Turn left onto New Salem Road

5.0 mi · 8 min · New Salem Road
27

Continue on East Main Street

0.4 mi · 43 sec · East Main Street
28

Continue on Front Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Front Street
29

Turn right onto One Way Road

151 ft · 9 sec · One Way Road
30

Turn right

341 ft · 25 sec
31

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Upper Darby, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Cuba, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cuba, NY

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cuba, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Buffington, PA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.20 one way

$96.40 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Upper Darby, PA

Night in Upper Darby on Sunday

Local time

10:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffington, PA

Night in Buffington on Sunday

Local time

10:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 45m 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 Upper Darby, PA to Buffington, PA covers 291.3 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Lansdowne Avenue, Darby Road, West Chester Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.20 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 straightforward 5h 45m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Upper Darby, PA to Buffington, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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