Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Afternoon in Upper Darby on Saturday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Great Bend, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
166 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Bend, PA
Nico Becker
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 166-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA, to Great Bend, PA, which will take approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of the route utilizing major expressways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81. Given its manageable duration and highway profile, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. Budget around $28 for fuel, and anticipate a relatively uninterrupted drive with just one recommended stop. This route keeps you within the state of Pennsylvania, traversing familiar northeastern landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 111.4 mi | 2h 5m |
| I 81 | 36.5 mi | 42m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 10.8 mi | 14m |
| South Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| US 11 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Providence Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| State Route 171 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 111.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Great Bend, 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
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Turn slight left onto PA 3
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 476
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
7
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
8
Continue on I 476; PATP
111 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 131
Toward I 81, US 6, US 11: Clarks Summit, Scranton
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward Binghamton
12
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 81
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
14
Turn left onto PA 171
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Route 171
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Williams Street
76 ft
·
3 sec
·
Williams Street
17
Arrive at destination
Williams Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour and 20-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one stop recommended and a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, you can easily cover the 166 miles in a single day. Aim to fuel up before you leave Upper Darby to account for the estimated $28 fuel cost. Keep an eye out for service plazas along the Turnpike Northeast Extension if you need a break, as they are conveniently spaced. The long stretch on the Turnpike Northeast Extension means you'll want to ensure you're comfortable and have any necessities within reach before embarking on that segment.
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 83 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.4 miles.
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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Bend, 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 166 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 111.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 165.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Lansdowne Avenue
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
128.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barr...
5
128.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Binghamton
5
165.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.52 one way
$55.04 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $30.14 | $60.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $32.19 | $64.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $14.48
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(111.4 mi)
$14.48
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Great Bend, PA
Afternoon in Great Bend on Saturday
Local time
2:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
36 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
3h 20m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a highway-centric experience on this 166-mile trip, with 96% of your travel on expressways. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension will be your primary companion for a significant portion, featuring an uninterrupted stretch of 111.4 miles. This means you'll be on fast-paced roads for most of the journey, offering a consistent driving rhythm. While the profile is largely highway, the transition to I-81 will offer a slight shift in the road's character as you continue north. Expect efficient travel without many deviations from the main thoroughfares.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Lansdowne Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 166 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Great Bend, PA, road signs point toward Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton.
Scranton
127.4 mi in
|
~2h 33m
|
via I 476; PATP
Wilkes-Barre
128.2 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Binghamton
128.4 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 166 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $14.48 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Great Bend, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Great Bend, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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