Origin
Arnold, PA
Late night in Arnold on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arnold, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
303.9 mi
489 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 39m
★
6 AM
5h 52m
8 AM
6h 18m
10 AM
6h 1m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arnold, PA
Simeon Mirkov
Trip Overview
This 303.9-mile journey from Arnold, PA to Upper Darby, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 5 hours and 52 minutes. The route is primarily on major interstates, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76, making it efficient for covering ground. With a highway share of 96%, you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $50, and with only one recommended stop, it’s designed for minimal interruption. This drive is ideal if you're looking to get from point A to point B quickly within the Northeast region.
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
152 miles from Arnold, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 279.5 mi | 5h 4m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Pittsburgh Street | 2.2 mi | 6m |
| Freeport Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Constitution Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 279.5 mi, about 5h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnold, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Constitution Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Constitution Boulevard
2
Turn right onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
9th Street
3
Continue on New Kensington Bridge
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
New Kensington Bridge
4
At end of road, turn left onto Freeport Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Freeport Road
5
Continue on Pittsburgh Street
2.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Pittsburgh Street
6
Continue on Freeport Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Freeport Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward PATP
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 76; PATP
280 mi
·
5 hr 4 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 76
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
18
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 52-minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, consider an early morning start. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike spans nearly 280 miles, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you begin this significant portion, or be prepared to utilize services along the turnpike. With a fuel cost estimate of $50, budget accordingly. Remember that a highway-focused drive means most services will be found at exits, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your longest stretch.
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 152 miles from Arnold, PA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 279.5 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152 miles or 2h 53m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arnold, 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 Arnold, PA
This is one driving day of about 303.9 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Arnold, 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 279.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152 miles from Arnold, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 279.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 297.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge onto I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
285.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m 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
7
290.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
8
297.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 36m in
Take the exit toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
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 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.89 one way
$97.77 round trip
$4.09/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $55.03 | $110.05 |
| premium | $4.95 | $59.27 | $118.54 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $71.55 | $143.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $36.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(279.5 mi)
$36.34
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
$49
Tolls
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.2 | 1 | $31.91 | $14.59 |
| Efficient EV | 76 | 0 | $26.59 | $12.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.6 | 1 | $42.55 | $19.45 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Late night in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 283
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 188.6
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$1
near mile 303.9
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 303.9
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 83.8
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 230.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for the vast majority of this trip, with 96% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where you'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 279.5 miles. This means continuous, fast-paced driving with limited deviations onto local roads. The Mid-County Expressway and I-76 also contribute to the high-speed nature of this route. While primarily focused on efficiency, the character remains that of a classic American interstate drive, designed for covering distance.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 279.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 303.9 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 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arnold, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.
Philadelphia
285.7 mi in
|
~5h 18m
|
via I 76
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 303.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 279.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $36.34 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Upper Darby, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Independence National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Darby, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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