Traveling from Ellwood City to Upper Darby spans 337.7 miles and typically requires about 5 hours and 19 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway cruise, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $54 for fuel to cover the distance across the state. While it is certainly possible to complete this trip in one day, the nature of the local roads means you will spend significant time navigating rather than cruising at high speeds. Keep in mind that this journey remains entirely within Pennsylvania, moving across the Northeast region from start to finish.
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
169 miles from Ellwood City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
314.2 mi
5h 41m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
West Chester Pike
2.5 mi
5m
Big Beaver Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
River Road
1.7 mi
3m
East Lawrence Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 314.2 mi, about 5h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellwood City, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Way
36 ft·4 sec·Keystone Way
2
Turn right onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
220 ft·11 sec·Fountain Avenue
3
Turn left onto PA 351 Truck
0.2 mi·33 sec·5th Street
4
Turn right onto PA 351
1.3 mi·3 min·East Lawrence Avenue
5
Continue on PA 351
1.7 mi·3 min·River Road
6
Turn right onto PA 351
0.3 mi·54 sec·Arthur Street
7
Turn left onto PA 18
1.6 mi·2 min·Big Beaver Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on PA 18
0.2 mi·23 sec·Big Beaver Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 76
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
314 mi·5 hr 41 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
19
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, plan for a steady pace and build in extra time for the frequent turns you will encounter. Since the entire 337.7-mile journey is best suited for a single, focused day of driving, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on the smaller roads. You are limited to just one recommended stop, so choose your break location wisely to stretch your legs before tackling the remainder of the route. Because you are avoiding major highways entirely, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local road networks can sometimes have fewer service station options than the interstate system. Staying alert to navigation cues will be your greatest asset on this specific trek across Pennsylvania.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169 miles from Ellwood City, PA, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 314.2 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 74 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
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 Ellwood City, 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 Ellwood City, PA
This is one driving day of about 337.9 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Ellwood City, 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 314.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 331.7 — 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|PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue
Turn right onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
3.5 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
319.7 mi into trip|~5h 53m 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
324.7 mi into trip|~6h 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
331.7 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
$56.02 one way
$112.04 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$61.35
$122.71
premium
$4.93
$65.53
$131.06
diesel
$5.61
$74.60
$149.21
Estimated Tolls: $40.85
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(314.2 mi)$40.85
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
$56
Tolls
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$122–$147
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.4
1
$35.48
$16.22
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.57
$13.52
EV Truck/SUV
135.2
1
$47.31
$21.63
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Ellwood City, PA
Morning
in Ellwood City on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Morning
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
169 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
20 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
6h 26m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 221.4
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 314.6
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 337.9
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 116.5
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 256.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than the typical interstate slog, as this route features a highway share of 0%. Instead of high-speed lanes, you will navigate a series of local roads including Fountain Avenue, 5th Street, and East Lawrence Avenue. The drive is defined by its turn-heavy character, requiring your full attention as you transition between local segments. Because the longest stretch on Fountain Avenue is 0 miles, you will find constant changes in your trajectory rather than long, monotonous straightaways. This is a technical drive that demands engagement, making it feel much more hands-on than a standard highway trek.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 314.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 337.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 (PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 319.7 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
2,163 ft56 ft
Total Climb
1,909 ft
Total Descent
2,740 ft
Highest Point
2,163 ft
~98.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,107 ft
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 Ellwood City, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.
Philadelphia
319.7 mi in|~5h 53m|via I 76
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 337.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 314.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $40.85 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 319.7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Darby, PA before the return drive.
