Claysburg, PA to Upper Darby, PA is 218.6 miles and takes about 4h 15m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward hop. The vast majority of this route is on major highways, so expect a quick transit. If you're looking for a simple, direct drive with minimal fuss, this one fits the bill.
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
109.3 miles from Claysburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi
3h 16m
I 99
14 mi
15m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
Dunnings Highway
2.8 mi
4m
West Chester Pike
2.5 mi
5m
US 220 Business
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Claysburg, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Packard Street
118 ft·7 sec·Packard Street
2
Turn right onto Catherine Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Catherine Street
3
Turn left onto Arden Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Arden Street
4
Turn left onto US 220 Business
2.8 mi·4 min·Dunnings Highway
5
Take the ramp onto US 220 Business
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 220 Business
6
Merge onto I 99; US 220
14 mi·15 min·I 99; US 220
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
8
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
9
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
21
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated duration, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid late-day fatigue. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $40 estimated cost suggests filling up before you depart or at a major service plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but aim to get on the road before midday.
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 109.3 miles from Claysburg, PA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Claysburg, 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 Claysburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 218.6 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Claysburg, 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 181 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 212.4 — 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|Catherine Street
Turn right onto Catherine Street
Navigation decision point
6
19 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
8
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
205.5 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
212.4 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
$34.86 one way
$69.71 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$38.57
$77.15
premium
$4.81
$41.38
$82.76
diesel
$4.80
$41.28
$82.55
Estimated Tolls: $23.54
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181 mi)$23.54
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
$35
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.13
$8.74
EV Truck/SUV
87.4
1
$30.60
$13.99
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Claysburg, PA
Evening
in Claysburg on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 5:34PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:33PM EDT until July 18 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Evening
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 10 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 5:34PM EDT until July 18 at 5:45PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:33PM EDT until July 18 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
68°F
Harrisburg, PA
109 mi in
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
5 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
4h 15m 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.
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...
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 218.6
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 143.2
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 211.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 95% of this 218.6-mile trip, so expect consistent cruising for most of the drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 181 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll transition from I 99 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and then onto the Mid-County Expressway. Be prepared for a significant number of exits and merges as you approach the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Catherine Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 218.6 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: near the start (Catherine Street): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.4 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,226 ft56 ft
Total Climb
428 ft
Total Descent
1,521 ft
Highest Point
1,226 ft
~31.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,170 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Claysburg, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 218.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.54 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Catherine Street): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.4 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Upper Darby, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
