Origin
West Penn, PA
Night in West Penn on Wednesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
85 mi
137 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Penn, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 85-mile drive from West Penn, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, will take you about 1 hour and 50 minutes. With 73% of the journey on highways, it's a practical option for a single day trip, especially given the estimated fuel cost of $14. The route focuses on efficient travel, making it ideal if you want to reach your destination without extensive detours. You'll be traversing within Pennsylvania's Northeast region for the entirety of this trip. Consider this a convenient way to connect these two points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from West Penn, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 85-mile route. With 73% of the drive utilizing major roadways, you'll primarily be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Schuylkill Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a chance for steady progress. While the specific road surfaces aren't detailed, the profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than scenic backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and West Penn Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85 miles you will encounter 17 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 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Penn, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Scranton and Valley Forge.
Patp
Scranton
Valley Forge
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| West Penn Pike | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| PA 100 | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Tilghman Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Clamtown Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Penn, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on PA 443
Turn right onto PA 309; PA 443
Turn right onto PA 100
Turn left onto Tilghman Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 22
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes for this 85-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving West Penn, PA, in the morning should allow you to avoid peak Philadelphia traffic. Since there are no recommended stops, you can decide on the fly if you need a break, keeping in mind the $14 fuel cost. A practical tip for this route: be aware that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a toll road, so ensure you have your E-ZPass or cash ready for payment.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving West Penn, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Penn, PA
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.5 mi from West Penn, PA · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from West Penn, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Philadelphia, PA 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
$14.09 one way
$28.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.48 | $32.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.77 | $37.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.87
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
$14
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Night in West Penn on Wednesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Philadelphia on Wednesday
Local time
11:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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