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Downingtown, PA Road Trips

With 2 routes heading out and 7 heading in, Downingtown, PA works well as a modest departure point in the Northeast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 279 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Downingtown, PA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

9

Longest Drive

383.1 mi

Erie, PA

Quickest Drive

45m

Haverford, PA

Plan Around Downingtown, PA

Continue From Downingtown, PA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Trips from Downingtown, PA

Driving from Downingtown, PA

The typical drive from Downingtown, PA covers about 279 miles and takes around 5h 22m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 282 miles (5h 31m), while the shortest is just 277 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Downingtown, PA include McMurray, PA (281.7 mi, 5h 31m) and Pittsburgh, PA (277.2 mi, 5h 14m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in PA currently averages around $4.3 per gallon. For the typical 279-mile trip from Downingtown, PA, budget about $47 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 2 mapped routes leaving Downingtown, PA and 7 routes heading into Downingtown, PA, covering 9 total connections. Distances range from 277 to 282 miles.

The longest mapped route from Downingtown, PA covers 282 miles and takes approximately 5h 31m. Shorter options start at just 277 miles.

The average route from Downingtown, PA runs about 279 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 22m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $4.3/gallon for regular), the average 279-mile trip from Downingtown, PA costs roughly $47 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Downingtown, PA include McMurray, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Downingtown, PA by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

8,163

Median Income

$82,292

Median Home Value

$322,500

Median Age

38.7

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Notable People from Downingtown, PA

A sampling of people born in Downingtown, PA.

Miles Teller

Miles Teller

1987

American actor

Adriana Chechik

Adriana Chechik

1991

American Twitch streamer and former pornographic actress (born 1991)

Thomas Buchanan Read

Thomas Buchanan Read

1822–1872

American artist (1822-1872)

Becky Edwards

Becky Edwards

1988

American soccer player

City data from Wikidata (Q1133437), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.

Traveler Guide to Downingtown, PA

Downingtown is a city of 7,900 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

There are many historical sites to see in Downingtown, including many different locations ranging from old bridges to houses that have been standing for many years and are now historic sights. Valley Forge is a half-hour drive from Downingtown and provides a good bit of history on many of the military battles that have taken place in this area. Gettysburg is also about an hour and a half away which too gives a fantastic background on the battles that took place there.

Walking paths. There are many great walking paths throughout Downingtown which take walkers along creeks and small rivers. Kerr Park: 45 acres. Huge grass fields which are good for all outdoor activities. Brandywine Creek, athletic fields, tennis court, basketball court, pavilions, swing set and play area, picnic areas with tables, public restrooms, paved paths with benches, and "The Sky's the Limit" — an all-abilities playground. Johnsontown Park: 7 acres, swing set and play area, basketball courts, soccer fields. Sunnybrook Park: 2 acres, softball field, basketball court The Ponds: 12 acres, 4 lakes, hiking trails. There is fishing available at the ponds which can be accessed by walking from the center of Downingtown. Marsh Creek: a Pennsylvania State Park of 1,705 acres with a 535-acre lake. Hiking- Many trails winding through woods in which mostly all bring you to another part of the park with water views along the way. All the paths in the park are welcome to pets. Biking- Some biking trails at the park are harder than others being as some are more frequently used and have been made more clear. Paved & dirt trails- For those who wish to walk but don't want to get dirty there are paved trails. For those who are more adventuresome the dirt trails flow through most of the woods. Picnic areas- There are many picnic areas and pavilions with shelter and room enough to fit everyone needed. Refreshment stands- There are two refreshment stands in the park: one is at the bottom by the boat rental area and the other is at the top near the pools.

Liones- one of the best pizzerias in town. Food ranges from pastas and fried goods to their specialty Italian strombolies, breads, and pizzas. Bone Fish (Exton)- Good wine selection and also terrific foods that are made fresh and the seafood is never frozen so it is the best around the area. Fridays (Exton)- A wide range of foods for the kids and adults that also has a bar. Red Robin (Exton)- Gourmet burgers and spirits. Brickside Grill (Downingtown)- Fresh seafood bar, Brick Oven to cook food fresh with the flavor of the fire. Uno's Pizza (Exton)- Bar and known for their deep dish and flat bread pizzas. They also have a wide variety of pasta dishes and appetizers.

Edges Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast 1 Philadelphia West Chester KOA, 1659 Embreeville Road, Coatesville (7.5 mi SW of town), ☏ +1 610-486-0447, toll-free: +1-800-562-1726. Check-in: Noon, check-out: noon. KOA campground. Pool, shop, full hookups. ca 10 cabins. Tent sites alongside Brandywine Creek. From $70 for a tent and two adults. (updated Nov 2021)

Downingtown is 33 miles west of Philadelphia. 1 Downingtown station, 159 Viaduct Avenue. (updated Aug 2023) Train operators: Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) Route stopping at Downington: Keystone multiple trips per day between Harrisburg and New York City with stops in Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Ardmore, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark. Some trips operate between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line.

The main mode of transportation is personal motor vehicle. The R5 Septa train line runs into the city to provide access for those who have jobs in the city but live in Downingtown. Septa also provides buses that run transit from many locations ranging from West Chester, King of Prussia, Frazer, and even to the city. Taxi services are available but may take long since it is not a city atmosphere.

Travel tips adapted from Downingtown 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.

Trips to Downingtown, PA

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