Traveling from Burnham to Philadelphia covers approximately 166.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well under a single day of travel, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $27 on fuel for the one-way trek, making it a budget-friendly option for those moving between these Pennsylvania locations. Since the route consists of turn-heavy local roads rather than major interstate corridors, you should prepare for a more engaged driving experience. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a direct path through the heart of the Northeast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.2 miles from Burnham, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
78.4 mi
1h 24m
US 322
61 mi
1h 16m
I 76
18 mi
26m
I 283
2.8 mi
4m
American Legion Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
West Freedom Avenue
1 mi
2m
Vine Street Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
North Walnut Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnham, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on North Beech Street
72 ft·4 sec·North Beech Street
2
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto West Freedom Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West Freedom Avenue
4
Continue on Ferguson Valley Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Ferguson Valley Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
6
Merge onto US 322
56 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 322
7
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi·1 min·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
9
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
4.3 mi·5 min·US 322
Exit 70Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, YorkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46AToward I 283 South: Harrisburg International AirportUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 283
2.8 mi·4 min·I 283
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse 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 PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse 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
Planning your departure is essential since this route relies entirely on local roads where traffic can fluctuate significantly. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the narrower sections of the drive. While the 2-hour and 51-minute duration is manageable in one stint, keep your $27 fuel budget in mind when planning your total trip expenses. Since there are no formal required stops listed, feel free to build in your own flexibility for rest and stretching along the way. Above all, since you will be navigating technical, turn-heavy local roads, ensure your vehicle's tire pressure and fluids are checked before you pull out of Burnham.
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 83.2 miles from Burnham, PA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
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 Burnham, 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 Burnham, PA
This is one driving day of about 166.4 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Burnham, 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 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.5 and 165.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
8
64.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
8
146.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
164.9 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
165.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.59 one way
$55.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$30.21
$60.43
premium
$4.93
$32.27
$64.54
diesel
$5.61
$36.74
$73.48
Estimated Tolls: $10.20
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.4 mi)$10.20
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
$28
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.56
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.30
$10.65
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Burnham, PA
Afternoon
in Burnham on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Afternoon
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 166.4
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 143.4
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 86.1
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 51.6
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 137.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its turn-heavy local roads rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on navigating secondary routes that demand consistent attention compared to high-speed turnpikes. This lack of highway driving means the pace is determined by local traffic patterns and the winding nature of the roads themselves. You will find that the character of the trip remains consistent throughout the 166.3-mile span, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns. It is a technical drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying off the major expressways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.5 miles in near US 322.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 166.4 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 60.5 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
644 ft45 ft
Total Climb
654 ft
Total Descent
1,164 ft
Highest Point
644 ft
~35.7 mi in
Elevation Range
599 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burnham, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Hazleton, Carlisle and York.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 166.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.20 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 Philadelphia, 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 60.5 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Philadelphia, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
