Clairton, PA to Upper Darby, PA is 293.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. Given its manageable duration and efficient routing, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two points.
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
146.6 miles from Clairton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
252 mi
4h 34m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
6 mi
8m
Hayden Boulevard
5.2 mi
8m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
West Newton Road
4.8 mi
7m
Mount Pleasant Road
3.6 mi
6m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 252 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clairton, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on 3rd Street
43 ft·4 sec·3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Saint Clair Avenue
3
Turn right onto PA 837
1.4 mi·2 min·State Street
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
5
Merge onto PA 51
316 ft·6 sec·Hayden Boulevard
6
Take the exit
257 ft·8 sec
Toward PA 51 South: Elizabeth
7
Turn left onto PA 51
5.2 mi·8 min·Hayden Boulevard
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·25 sec
9
Turn left onto PA 136
320 ft·6 sec·Rainbow Run Road
10
Continue on PA 136
4.8 mi·7 min·West Newton Road
11
Continue on PA 136
3.6 mi·6 min·Mount Pleasant Road
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
13
Merge onto I 70
6.0 mi·8 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Take the exit onto I 70
0.5 mi·1 min·I 70
Exit 58Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
16
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
252 mi·4 hr 34 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi·7 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
25
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
For this drive, departing in the morning will allow you to comfortably complete the 5h 45m journey before evening. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 252 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan your breaks strategically. Ensure you have ample fuel before embarking, as the 90% highway share means extended periods between service areas. Given the 293.1-mile distance, it’s a perfect one-day trip, so you have flexibility to depart when convenient.
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 146.6 miles from Clairton, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 64 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.6 miles or 2h 51m 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 34m
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 Clairton, 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 Clairton, PA
This is one driving day of about 293.1 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Clairton, 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 252 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.9 and 286.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.9 mi into trip|~34m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
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 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
22.4 mi into trip|~35m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
8
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
286.9 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
$48.59 one way
$97.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.22
$106.44
premium
$4.93
$56.84
$113.69
diesel
$5.61
$64.71
$129.43
Estimated Tolls: $32.77
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(252 mi)$32.77
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
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.78
$14.07
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.03
$18.76
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Clairton, PA
Late night
in Clairton on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Late night
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
3:30 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
2 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a substantial stretch of 252 miles without needing to exit. The Mid-County Expressway and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway also contribute to the high-speed nature of this trip. The character remains consistently that of a major artery, designed for efficient, long-distance travel.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 21.9 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 293.1 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 21.9 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.9 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.
Between Clairton, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Patp: Harrisburg
21.9 mi in|~34m|via I 70
Pittsburgh
21.9 mi in|~34m|via I 70
Philadelphia
274.9 mi in|~5h 11m|via I 76
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 293.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.77 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 21.9 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.
