Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
48.8 mi
79 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dale, PA
Haneul Trac
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Dale, PA to Philadelphia, PA is 48.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 18 minutes via Schuylkill Expressway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily within Pennsylvania, taking you from one Northeast region to another. Expect a mixed driving experience that's manageable for a single day trip. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 5.4 mi | 10m |
| Hill Road | 5.2 mi | 10m |
| Sumneytown Pike | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Niantic Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Forgedale Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dale, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on Dale Road
At end of road, turn left onto Forgedale Road
Turn left onto Old Route 100
Turn right onto Dairy Lane
Turn right onto PA 100
Turn left onto Niantic Road
Turn left onto Hill Road
At end of road, turn right onto PA 29
Turn left onto PA 63
Continue on PA 63
Continue on PA 63
Turn straight onto PA 63
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from Dale, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.4 and 48.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$7.85 one way
$15.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $8.84 | $17.67 |
| premium | $4.95 | $9.52 | $19.04 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $11.49 | $22.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.27 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.83 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Dale on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 57% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Schuylkill Expressway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which tend to be higher-speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 12.6 miles on the Schuylkill Expressway. As you get closer to Philadelphia, the drive will likely become more urbanized, transitioning from highway travel to more local roads like Main Street. Be prepared for potential traffic as you approach your destination.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.4 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.8 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 30.4 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dale, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp South and Valley Forge.
Patp South
Valley Forge
Founded 1891
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, 41 miles (66 km) west-southwest of Altoona, and 70 miles (110 km) east of Pittsburgh. The Conemaugh River forms at Johnstown from its tributaries, the Stonycreek River and the Little Conemaugh.
“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 48.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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