Road Trips from Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia sets you up for a lot of different drives. You've got options that keep you within about two hours, perfect for a quick escape with gently rolling terrain and park access. If you have more time, there are longer trips that take you further out with more varied terrain. This means you can easily plan a day trip to a nearby park or a longer journey into more remote areas with a higher drive score.
Total Routes
22
Shortest
2.2h
With Parks Nearby
22
Full-day getaway
Gold Key Lake, PA
3h 13m131 mi one way
If you're looking for a drive with a high score and access to parks, this 3.2-hour trip to Gold Key Lake is a solid choice. It features mostly highway driving on gently rolling terrain, making for a straightforward journey. It's one of the longer options that still offers proximity to areas like Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Birchwood Lakes, PA
3h 3m125.7 mi one way
This 3.1-hour drive to Birchwood Lakes offers a similar experience to Gold Key Lake, with a slightly shorter distance. It utilizes mostly highway routes and presents gently rolling terrain. Like other nearby options, it provides access to significant park areas, making it a convenient choice for nature lovers.
Parkside, PA
2h 21m103.7 mi one way
For a shorter, 2.4-hour drive, Parkside is a good option. It's closer than Gold Key Lake or Birchwood Lakes and still boasts a good drive score of 8. The route is mostly highway, with gently rolling terrain, and includes access to Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Tannersville, PA
2h 11m97.3 mi one way
This is the shortest drive on the list at just 2.2 hours to Tannersville, making it ideal for a quick day trip. It has a drive score of 7 and is primarily highway driving. You'll encounter gently rolling terrain and still have access to parks like Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Weekend trip
18 total in this range
Hyde, PA
4h 50m256 mi one way
Consider Hyde if you're up for a longer drive of 4.8 hours with more challenging terrain. This route mixes highway and surface roads, leading to hilly areas with moderate elevation changes. It has the highest drive score at 10 among the longer options.
Youngsville, PA
6h 59m339.7 mi one way
This is the longest drive on the list, clocking in at 7 hours to Youngsville. It's a mixed highway and surface road route with gently rolling terrain. While it's a significant time commitment, it offers a different landscape than the closer destinations.
Corry, PA
7h 28m374.2 mi one way
At 7.5 hours, Corry is the furthest destination, featuring hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. This route uses a mix of highway and surface roads and has a solid drive score of 9. It's a substantial trip for those looking to cover significant distance.
California, PA
5h 42m298.3 mi one way
This 5.7-hour drive to California, PA, offers a mostly highway route with gently rolling terrain. It's a good mid-range option in terms of distance, falling between the shorter day trips and the longest journeys. You'll also have access to Independence National Historical Park.
Oakland, PA
4h 37m235 mi one way
Oakland, PA, is reachable in 4.6 hours via mostly highway driving on gently rolling terrain. This trip offers a balance between distance and ease of travel, providing access to parks like Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.
Browse by Mood
Hyde, PA
4h 50m256 mi one way
Youngsville, PA
6h 59m339.7 mi one way
Gold Key Lake, PA
3h 13m131 mi one way
Birchwood Lakes, PA
3h 3m125.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives benefit from the gently rolling terrain and the opening of numerous parks, offering pleasant conditions for exploring.
Summer
Summer is ideal for longer drives to parks like Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, taking advantage of the warmer weather.
Fall
The fall foliage would be particularly striking on routes with hilly terrain and access to national and historical parks.
Winter
Winter drives should consider the hilly terrain options, as snow could impact travel times on mixed highway and surface roads.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Philadelphia, PA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.