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Trip from Williamstown, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 57m

Distance

307.9 mi

495 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 44m ★
6 AM
5h 57m
8 AM
6h 23m
10 AM
6h 6m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 49m

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

Downtown Williamstown, PA, PA

Williamstown, PA

Michael Taccetta

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Williamstown to Philadelphia covers 307.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $51 for fuel will cover your transit costs as you move through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. It is a practical, highway-focused trip that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours. If you are looking for a direct path to the city, this itinerary provides a clear and reliable roadmap.

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

153.9 miles from Williamstown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 307.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed experience, as 91% of this drive is spent on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 252-mile stretch of the journey. The route also incorporates the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-76, ensuring a consistent, high-velocity pace for most of the trip. While the character of the road is primarily an interstate grind, the transition from the smaller roads near Williamstown to the major arteries of Philadelphia keeps the drive focused and predictable. You should prepare for long, uninterrupted stretches behind the wheel where maintaining a steady highway speed is the primary requirement.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 252 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.5 miles in near I 70.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 307.9 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 35.5 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.4 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
35.5 mi into trip | ~51m in | I 70

Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 58 Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
35.9 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
8
288.4 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | I 76

Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
8
306.4 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in | I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
307.3 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Williamstown, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

Patp: Harrisburg

35.5 mi in | ~51m | via I 70

Pittsburgh

35.5 mi in | ~51m | via I 70

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 252 mi 4h 34m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 19.3 mi 26m
I 76 18 mi 26m
Mon/Fayette Expressway 6 mi 6m
Low Hill Road 3 mi 4m
Front Street 2.9 mi 4m
Main Street 1.9 mi 4m
PA 88 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 252 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Williamstown, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

1

Start on Taylor Avenue

272 ft · 12 sec · Taylor Avenue
2

Continue on 1st Avenue

0.2 mi · 44 sec · 1st Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto SR 2039

1.9 mi · 4 min · Main Street
4

At end of road, turn left onto PA 88

1.7 mi · 2 min · Front Street
5

Continue on PA 88

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Water Street
6

Turn straight onto PA 88

1.2 mi · 1 min · Front Street
7

Continue on PA 88

3.0 mi · 4 min · Low Hill Road
8

Turn left onto PA 88

0.9 mi · 1 min · PA 88
9

Merge onto PA Tpke 43; PA 88

6.0 mi · 6 min · Mon/Fayette Expressway
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
11

Merge onto I 70

19 mi · 26 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto I 70

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 70
Exit 58 Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
14

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

252 mi · 4 hr 34 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto I 76

18 mi · 26 min · I 76
Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30

0.8 mi · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right onto North 15th Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
20

Turn slight left onto PA 611

379 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square
21

Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square

167 ft · 2 sec · South Penn Square
22

Arrive at destination

South Penn Square

Trip Plan

Since this is a nearly six-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Philadelphia metro area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 252-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as you will want to time your refueling stop effectively to stay within your $51 budget. Because the route is highway-heavy, utilize cruise control to manage your speed during the long, consistent segments. Being flexible with your departure time allows you to bypass peak traffic hours, making the overall experience much smoother.

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 153.9 miles from Williamstown, PA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 68 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 153.9 miles or 3h 1m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Williamstown, 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 Williamstown, PA

This is one driving day of about 307.9 miles and 5h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Williamstown, 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 for about 252 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 153.9 mi from Williamstown, PA · 3h 1m into the drive

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

154 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

Johnstown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 153.9 miles from Williamstown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252 miles.

Arriving in Philadelphia, PA

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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Philadelphia, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.05 one way

$102.09 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $55.91 $111.81
premium $4.93 $59.71 $119.43
diesel $5.61 $67.98 $135.96

Estimated Tolls: $33.19

Pennsylvania Turnpike (252 mi) $32.77
Mon/Fayette Expressway (6 mi) $0.42

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

$51

Tolls

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$109–$134

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.4 1 $32.33 $14.78
Efficient EV 77 0 $26.94 $12.32
EV Truck/SUV 123.2 1 $43.11 $19.71

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Williamstown, PA

Afternoon in Williamstown on Thursday

Local time

12:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, PA

Afternoon in Philadelphia on Thursday

Local time

12:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Hancock, MD

154 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

5h 57m 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 Williamstown, PA to Philadelphia, PA covers 307.9 miles and takes about 5h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, I 76. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.9 miles from Williamstown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.05 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 307.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.5 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.4 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Williamstown, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

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