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Trip from Fairmount, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

62.8 mi

101 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

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

Downtown Fairmount, PA, PA

Fairmount, PA

Michael Taccetta

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 62.8-mile journey from Fairmount, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via the Kennett-Oxford Bypass and the Delaware Expressway, with about 17% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $10, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive than a simple interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you won't be crossing any major geographical boundaries, but you'll experience the transition from suburban to urban landscapes as you approach Philadelphia.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

31.4 miles from Fairmount, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Kennett-Oxford Bypass 20.2 mi 27m
East Baltimore Pike 9.1 mi 15m
Delaware Expressway 8.5 mi 11m
Conchester Highway 8.1 mi 13m
Nottingham Road 2.7 mi 4m
West Christine Road 2.6 mi 4m
Schuylkill Expressway 2.3 mi 3m
Little Britain Road North 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Kennett-Oxford Bypass — 20.2 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Fairmount Road

49 ft · 9 sec · Fairmount Road
2

Turn left onto Little Britain Road North

2.3 mi · 4 min · Little Britain Road North
3

Turn left onto Green Lane

0.5 mi · 1 min · Green Lane
4

At end of road, turn left onto PA 272

2.7 mi · 4 min · Nottingham Road
5

Continue on PA 272

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Christine Road
6

Keep slight right at fork onto PA 272

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Christine Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
8

Merge onto US 1

20 mi · 27 min · Kennett-Oxford Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on US 1

9.1 mi · 15 min · East Baltimore Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Turn right onto US 322

8.1 mi · 13 min · Conchester Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95

8.5 mi · 11 min · Delaware Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 13 Toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 13 Toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Valley Forge Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on PA 291

2.0 mi · 3 min · Penrose Avenue
16

Turn left onto South 26th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South 26th Street
Use the left lane.
17

Merge onto I 76

2.3 mi · 3 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 345 Toward 30th Street Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto PA 3

276 ft · 8 sec · Schuylkill Avenue
20

Turn right onto PA 3

0.9 mi · 2 min · Market Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

At end of road, turn right onto PA 611

85 ft · 1 sec · South 15th Street
Use the right lane.
22

Turn slight left onto PA 611

379 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square
23

Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square

167 ft · 2 sec · South Penn Square
24

Arrive at destination

South Penn Square

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing from Fairmount in the morning to avoid the peak rush hour traffic as you enter Philadelphia. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, perhaps for a quick break or to grab a coffee. The estimated fuel cost is a low $10, so you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns, as this is a key characteristic of the route and requires your attention.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.4 miles from Fairmount, PA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 14 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 31.4 miles or 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 22m

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 Fairmount, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fairmount, PA

This is one driving day of about 62.8 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Fairmount, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kennett-Oxford Bypass for about 20.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Westtown, PA

31 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

Westtown, PA to Philadelphia, PA

23.6 mi · 46m

Pacing Suggestions

Oxford, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pocopson, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 31.4 miles from Fairmount, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 54.3 and 62.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
54.3 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue

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 13 Toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue
9
55.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13 Toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue
8
55.5 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Valley Forge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Valley Forge
7
61.5 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward 30th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 345 Toward 30th Street
7
62.6 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | PA 611 / South 15th Street

At end of road, turn right onto PA 611 / South 15th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.41 one way

$20.82 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $11.40 $22.81
premium $4.93 $12.18 $24.36
diesel $5.61 $13.87 $27.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.8 0 $6.59 $3.01
Efficient EV 15.7 0 $5.49 $2.51
EV Truck/SUV 25.1 0 $8.79 $4.02

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Fairmount, PA

Afternoon in Fairmount on Sunday

Local time

12:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, PA

Afternoon in Philadelphia on Sunday

Local time

12:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°F

Westtown, PA

31 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

2 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

1h 40m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 near mile 62.8
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 62.8
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 34.6
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 38.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 62.8-mile stretch. While only 17% of the route involves highway driving, you'll encounter some longer, more consistent stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment is 20.2 miles along the Kennett-Oxford Bypass, offering a brief period of less frequent turns. As you progress, the road will likely transition from more rural or suburban arteries to busier urban approaches as you near Philadelphia. This means you should be prepared for changing traffic patterns and more frequent intersections.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.2 mi on Kennett-Oxford Bypass.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 54.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.8 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 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 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 Fairmount, PA to Philadelphia, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Valley Forge along the way.

Valley Forge

54.3 mi in | ~1h 24m

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 1h 40m. Total distance: 62.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20.2 miles on Kennett-Oxford Bypass. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and First State National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Philadelphia, PA to Fairmount, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

65.6 mi 1h 40m

Explore more options from Fairmount, PA or browse trips ending in Philadelphia, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.