Traveling from Frankford to Newark, Delaware, covers a distance of 93.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. This route stays entirely within the state, transitioning from the coastal region of the Northeast into the northern part of the state. Since the entire journey is easily manageable in one day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it serves best as a straightforward, single-day transit between these two Delaware points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Frankford, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dupont Boulevard
45.2 mi
1h 3m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
36 mi
41m
Wrangle Hill Road
3.7 mi
6m
Sunset Lake Road
2.4 mi
3m
DuPont Boulevard
2.1 mi
2m
Chapel Street
1.8 mi
2m
Library Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dupont Boulevard
— 45.2 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankford, DE and Newark, DE.
1
Start on Main Street
287 ft·14 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Daisey Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Daisey Street
3
Turn right onto US 113
23 mi·32 min·Dupont Boulevard
4
Continue on US 113
2.1 mi·2 min·DuPont Boulevard
5
Continue on US 113
23 mi·31 min·Dupont Boulevard
6
Continue on DE 1 Toll
4.4 mi·5 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 Toll North: Wilmington
7
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·31 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
4.0 mi·4 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 152Toward DE 72: Delaware City, NewarkUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
347 ft·10 sec
Toward DE 72 NorthUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto DE 72
3.7 mi·6 min·Wrangle Hill Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on DE 72
2.4 mi·3 min·Sunset Lake Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on DE 72
1.8 mi·2 min·Chapel Street
14
Continue on DE 72
0.2 mi·13 sec·Capitol Trail
15
Continue on DE 72
1.1 mi·1 min·Library Avenue
16
Turn left onto DE 273
0.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right
260 ft·18 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 93.9-mile journey, plan your departure to account for the local road conditions that define this route. Since there are no designated stops in the plan, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break, though you should factor this into your total travel time. Keeping your fuel budget around $16 is a safe estimate, but it is always wise to monitor your gauge as you navigate the local surface streets. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your GPS is mounted and ready before you pull out of Frankford. This approach allows you to focus on the road ahead without the stress of frequent navigation adjustments.
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 46.9 miles from Frankford, DE, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.2 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 1h 6m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Frankford, DE 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 Frankford, DE
This is one driving day of about 93.9 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Frankford, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dupont Boulevard for about 45.2 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 93.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Daisey Street
Turn left onto Daisey Street
Navigation decision point
8
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward DE 72: Delaware City, Newark
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 152
Toward DE 72: Delaware City, Newark
8
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward DE 72 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward DE 72 North
5
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|DE 72 / Wrangle Hill Road
Merge onto DE 72 / Wrangle Hill Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
93.1 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|DE 273 / East Main Street
Turn left onto DE 273 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.57 one way
$31.13 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.05
$34.10
premium
$4.93
$18.21
$36.42
diesel
$5.61
$20.73
$41.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.15
$6.01
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Frankford, DE
Night
in Frankford on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newark, DE
Night
in Newark on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 7m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 93.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed interstate travel, as the route features zero highway share. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via Dupont Boulevard, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and Wrangle Hill Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 45.2 miles along Dupont Boulevard, providing a consistent segment before the drive shifts into more frequent turns. Since the trip is characterized by its turn-heavy local nature, you should stay alert as the road transitions through various local environments. It offers a distinct experience compared to a monotonous highway grind, keeping you engaged with the local landscape throughout the two-hour duration.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.2 mi on Dupont Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Daisey Street.
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 93.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (Daisey Street): Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
128 ft2 ft
Total Climb
240 ft
Total Descent
147 ft
Highest Point
128 ft
~93.9 mi in
Elevation Range
126 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 93.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.2 miles on Dupont Boulevard. 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 Newark, DE 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Daisey Street): Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — First State National Historical Park. 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 Newark, DE before heading back.
