Chester, PA Road Trips
With 13 routes heading out and 2 heading in, Chester, PA works well as a modest departure point in the Northeast. Most drives stay under 103 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Chester, PA spread mainly north and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
15
Longest Drive
393.3 mi
Erie, PA
Quickest Drive
19m
Upper Darby, PA
Plan Around Chester, PA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Chester, PA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Chester, PA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Chester, PA
Chester, PA to Erie, PA
Chester, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Chester, PA to Scranton, PA
Chester, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Chester, PA to Harrisburg, PA
Chester, PA to Allentown, PA
Chester, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Chester, PA to Reading, PA
Chester, PA to Bristol, PA
Chester, PA to Croydon, PA
Chester, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Chester, PA to Haverford, PA
Chester, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Driving from Chester, PA
Expect an average of 103 miles and about 2h 9m behind the wheel when leaving Chester, PA. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 393 miles (7h 52m), while the shortest is just 9 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Chester, PA include Erie, PA (393.3 mi, 7h 52m), Pittsburgh, PA (297.4 mi, 5h 48m), Scranton, PA (127.9 mi, 2h 32m), City of Scranton, PA (127.5 mi, 2h 31m), and Harrisburg, PA (98.6 mi, 2h 8m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in PA currently averages around $4.09 per gallon. For the typical 103-mile trip from Chester, PA, budget about $17 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you. Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 13 mapped routes leaving Chester, PA and 2 routes heading into Chester, PA, covering 15 total connections. Distances range from 9 to 393 miles.
The longest mapped route from Chester, PA covers 393 miles and takes approximately 7h 52m. Shorter options start at just 9 miles.
The average route from Chester, PA runs about 103 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 9m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $4.09/gallon for regular), the average 103-mile trip from Chester, PA costs roughly $17 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Chester, PA include Erie, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Scranton, PA and City of Scranton, PA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Chester, PA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
33,209
Median Income
$39,809
Median Home Value
$85,400
Median Age
33.3
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Chester, PA
Chester is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Chester is a suburb of the city of Philadelphia. The current population estimate is 30,409. The city is predominantly made up of African Americans, making up 79% of the population. Chester is known for poverty and high crime, as almost 40% of residents live below the poverty line.
The first European settlement in the area that became Chester was Finlandia settled by the Swedes followed by the settlement of Upland. They built Fort Mecoponacka in 1641 to defend the settlement. By 1682, Upland was the most populous town of the new Province of Pennsylvania. On October 27, the ship Welcome arrived at the town, bearing William Penn on his first visit to the province. Penn renamed the settlement for the English city of Chester. Chester served as the county seat for Chester County, which then stretched from the Delaware River to the Susquehanna River. In 1789, the city became the county seat for the newly created Delaware County, but the county seat was moved to the borough of Media, PA in 1851.
1 William Penn Landing Site. A monument along the Delaware River the first landing of territorial governor William Penn in Pennsylvania in October 1682. (updated Feb 2025) 2 1724 Chester Courthouse, 400 Ave of the States. Oldest public building in the United States. (updated Feb 2025) 3 St. Paul's Church, 301 E 9th St, ☏ +1 610-872-5711, [email protected]. Episcopal church founded in 1702. The current church was built in 1900 in English Gothic style with granite and limestone. It has an Aeolian-Skinner organ donated in 1956. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Widener University Observatory. Stargazing M & F evenings during academic year, register on website. Free. (updated Mar 2025)
Philadelphia Union, One Stadium Dr, ☏ +1 610-859-3100. Philadelphia's Major League Soccer franchise, which was founded in 2008 and played its first season in 2010, plays its home games at Subaru Park in Chester. The stadium is located on the Delaware River and offers a spectacular view of the Commodore Barry Bridge. The stadium is also home to Philadelphia Union II, which plays in the second-level USL Championship as the MLS team's reserve side. 1 Harrah's Philadelphia, 777 Harrah's Blvd, toll-free: +1-800-480-8020. Casino located on the Delaware River, with 2000 slot machines, table games, horse racing, and sports betting. (updated Jan 2019)
OB's Jamaican Restaurant- 1000 W 2nd St. Quality, affordable Jamaican cuisine a few blocks from Subaru Park and the Commodore Barry Bridge. A good place to stop for a pre-game meal.
Candlewood Suites, 351 Welsh St, ☏ +1 610-874-3473. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Kitchen in rooms, outdoor gazebo grill, and WiFi included. (updated Mar 2021) Best Western Plus Philadelphia Airport South at Widener University, 1450 Providence Ave, ☏ +1 610-872-8100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2025)
Chester is located at the junction of Interstate 476 (the Blue Route) and Interstate 95. SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line (Regional Rail) stops at Chester. 1 Chester Transit Center, 595 Avenue Of The States. (updated Jun 2025)
Chester is a compact city with an excellent public transport system (SEPTA buses and Regional Rail).
Travel tips adapted from Chester (Pennsylvania) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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