This 94.2-mile drive from Claymont, DE to Seaford, DE takes approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and South Dupont Highway, with a portion on Sussex Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, this route offers an economical way to traverse the state. The journey is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive profile, suggesting a more engaged driving experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day's adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Claymont, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
41.2 mi
47m
South Dupont Highway
21.2 mi
26m
Sussex Highway
10.6 mi
14m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
Bridgeville Highway
2.6 mi
4m
Puncheon Run Connector
2.1 mi
2m
Delaware Turnpike
2 mi
2m
Wilmington Expressway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 41.2 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claymont, DE and Seaford, DE.
1
Start on US 13
124 ft·4 sec·Governor Printz Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 13
0.5 mi·1 min·Philadelphia Pike
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 495 South: Port of Wilmington, Newark, Baltimore, Delaware Memorial Bridge
4
Merge onto I 495
10 mi·11 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 95; US 202
1.6 mi·1 min·Wilmington Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 95
2.0 mi·2 min·Delaware Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·40 sec
Exit 4AToward DE 1 South, DE 7 South: Mall Road, Dover, BeachesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
9
Merge onto DE 1
10 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
0.3 mi·19 sec·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·32 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
3.0 mi·3 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto Puncheon Run Connector
2.1 mi·2 min·Puncheon Run Connector
Exit 97Toward Salisbury, Norfolk
14
Turn left onto US 13
21 mi·26 min·South Dupont Highway
15
Continue on US 13
11 mi·14 min·Sussex Highway
16
Take the exit
169 ft·4 sec
17
Continue on Bridgeville Highway
2.6 mi·4 min·Bridgeville Highway
18
Continue on North Front Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Front Street
19
Turn right onto High Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·High Street
20
Turn left onto South Pine Street
49 ft·2 sec·South Pine Street
21
Arrive at destination
South Pine Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 57-minute drive, leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid potential local traffic, especially as you transition onto South Dupont Highway. While the total distance is only 94.2 miles and the fuel cost is a budget-friendly $16, you won't need to plan for overnight stops. The "turn-heavy local drive" profile means you'll want to stay alert and confirm your navigation frequently. Consider this a journey where flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your pace. A specific tip: pay close attention to signage as you move from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway onto Sussex Highway, as this transition point is crucial for maintaining your route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.1 miles from Claymont, DE, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.2 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seaford, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Claymont, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Claymont, DE
This is one driving day of about 94.2 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Claymont, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 41.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 13 / Philadelphia Pike
Turn right onto US 13 / Philadelphia Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
14.6 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward DE 1 South, DE 7 South: Mall Road, Dover, Beaches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4A
Toward DE 1 South, DE 7 South: Mall Road, Dover...
6
15.2 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
6
26 mi into trip|~31m in|DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|Puncheon Run Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Puncheon Run Connector toward Salisbury, Norfolk
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 97
Toward Salisbury, Norfolk
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.62 one way
$31.23 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.10
$34.21
premium
$4.93
$18.27
$36.54
diesel
$5.61
$20.80
$41.60
Estimated Tolls: $0.14
Delaware Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.89
$4.52
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.19
$6.03
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 17, 2026
Origin
Claymont, DE
Night
in Claymont on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 10 to 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Seaford, DE
Night
in Seaford on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 10 to 15 mph16% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" on this 94.2-mile journey through Delaware. While 40% of the route involves highway driving, it's interspersed with more localized roads, contributing to the overall feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.2 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This suggests a drive that requires your attention, with frequent adjustments and navigation rather than a simple, monotonous cruise. The road will likely evolve, transitioning from highway segments to more community-oriented routes as you progress south.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.2 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 13 / Philadelphia Pike.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.2 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 13 / Philadelphia Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Claymont, DE and Seaford, DE, road signs point toward Dover, Beaches, Salisbury and Norfolk.
Claymont is a town in northern Delaware. A largely blue-collar suburb of Wilmington, its borders are not clearly defined; it is generally accepted to have about 10,000 residents (2020).
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 94.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.2 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.14 in tolls one way, starting with Delaware 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.
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 Seaford, DE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 13 / Philadelphia Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — First State National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Seaford, DE before heading back.
