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Trip from Dalton, PA to Philadelphia, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

135.2 mi

218 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Dalton, PA, PA

Dalton, PA

Haneul Trac

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Dalton, PA to Philadelphia, PA is 135.2 miles and takes about 2h 43m via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its predominantly highway nature and short duration, it's ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained turnpikes and expressways, making for an efficient transit between these locations.

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

67.6 miles from Dalton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 111.3 mi 2h 5m
Schuylkill Expressway 12.6 mi 17m
Abington Road 3.4 mi 6m
Mid-County Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
East Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Clinton Street 0.8 mi 1m
Vine Street Expressway 0.8 mi 1m
US 6 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 111.3 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dalton, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

1

Start on this road

44 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South Turnpike Road

29 ft · 6 sec · South Turnpike Road
3

Turn right onto PA 632

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
4

Continue on PA 632

0.8 mi · 1 min · Clinton Street
5

Turn right onto PA 407

3.4 mi · 6 min · Abington Road
6

Turn left onto US 6; US 11

305 ft · 7 sec · Northern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 6

0.4 mi · 1 min · US 6
Toward I 81, US 6 East, PATP South, I 476 South: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward PATP, I 476
9

Continue on I 476; PATP

111 mi · 2 hr 4 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 476; PATP

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
12

Continue on I 476

3.4 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 16 Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 16A Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia Use the slight left lane.
15

Merge onto I 76

13 mi · 17 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Philadelphia Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia Use 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

For this 2h 43m drive, leaving early in the morning is a good strategy to avoid potential rush hour congestion as you get closer to Philadelphia. With only 135.2 miles and a recommended single day, you have flexibility with stops; however, consider breaking up the 111.3-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if you prefer more frequent pauses. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $22, and stations can be spaced out on turnpikes. Plan to refuel before you begin if starting with a low tank, as services might be less frequent on the initial highway portion.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from Dalton, PA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.3 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 30 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.6 miles or 1h 20m 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 9m

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 Dalton, 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 Dalton, PA

This is one driving day of about 135.2 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Dalton, 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 Northeast Extension for about 111.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palmerton, PA

68 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.

Popular next leg

Palmerton, PA to Philadelphia, PA

82.6 mi · 1h 40m

Pacing Suggestions

West Pittston, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmerton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from Dalton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 116.8 and 134.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
116.8 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 16 Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 16A Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
133.7 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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
134.6 mi into trip | ~2h 41m 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

$22.41 one way

$44.83 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.55 $49.10
premium $4.93 $26.22 $52.44
diesel $5.61 $29.85 $59.70

Estimated Tolls: $14.47

Pennsylvania Turnpike (111.3 mi) $14.47

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

$22

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.20 $6.49
Efficient EV 33.8 0 $11.83 $5.41
EV Truck/SUV 54.1 0 $18.93 $8.65

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Dalton, PA

Afternoon in Dalton on Tuesday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, PA

Afternoon in Philadelphia on Tuesday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

4 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

2h 43m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect to be on highways for 95% of this 135.2-mile trip. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension will be your primary artery for a substantial stretch of 111.3 miles. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads for the final portion into Philadelphia. This means you'll experience a significant shift from consistent highway speeds to navigating more local traffic and intersections as you approach your destination.

95% 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: 111.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.8 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 135.2 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 116.8 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Dalton, PA to Philadelphia, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Valley Forge along the way.

Valley Forge

120.4 mi in | ~2h 21m

About the Cities

Arriving in Philadelphia, PA

Full guide →

“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682

Top landmarks

  • Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Liberty Bell — bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA that serves as a symbol of American inde...
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 135.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 43m 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 111.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $14.47 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.

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 116.8 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Philadelphia, PA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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