Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
27m
Distance
16.4 mi
26 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Delaware City, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Elsmere, DE
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel between Delaware City and Elsmere, you are in for a quick 16.4-mile journey that typically takes about 27 minutes. This short trip is perfect for a one-day outing, as it is entirely manageable in a single session without the need for overnight stays. Expect to spend roughly $3 on fuel for the entire distance, making it an incredibly budget-friendly commute. By utilizing South Dupont Highway, West Basin Road, and River Road, you will navigate through the heart of the Northeast region. It is a straightforward drive that functions well for local errands or quick trips between these two Delaware communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Dupont Highway | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| West Basin Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| River Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Wrangle Hill Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Kirkwood Highway | 1 mi | 2m |
| Hamburg Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Clinton Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Delaware City, DE and Elsmere, DE.
Start on Clinton Street
Turn right onto DE 9
Continue on DE 9
Turn right
Turn right onto DE 9
Turn left onto DE 9 Truck
Turn right onto US 13; DE 9 Truck
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight
Continue on US 202; DE 141
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto DE 2
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 15.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 13; DE 9 Truck / South Dupont Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward DE 2: Elsmere, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward DE 2 East: Elsmere
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$2.72 one way
$5.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $2.98 | $5.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $3.18 | $6.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Delaware City on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in Elsmere on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will spend most of your time navigating local roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting only 4.7 miles along South Dupont Highway. Because you are avoiding major highways entirely, the pace remains steady but requires your full attention for frequent turns. The character of the road is consistent, favoring smaller thoroughfares over long, straight corridors. You will find that the lack of highway travel creates a more personal, hands-on driving experience as you transition between these two points.
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 around 2.5 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 16.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 27m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (US 13; DE 9 Truck / South Dupont Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
265 ft
Total Descent
172 ft
Highest Point
120 ft
~15.1 mi in
Elevation Range
118 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Delaware City, DE to Elsmere, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Newark along the way.
Newark
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 27m. Total distance: 16.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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