Spanning 319.6 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Franklin to Philadelphia takes approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes of active driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive with zero percent highway share, you should plan for a full day on the road. Budgeting around $51 for fuel is a solid starting point for your trip expenses. While it is physically possible to complete this in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a demanding trek. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the rural landscapes near Franklin to the urban center of Philadelphia.
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
168.3 miles from Franklin, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
205.8 mi
3h 43m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75.1 mi
1h 21m
US Highway 322
17.2 mi
25m
Schuylkill Expressway
12.6 mi
17m
Main Street
6.1 mi
9m
Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Route 322
4.1 mi
5m
Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 205.8 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,479
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on 13th Street
27 ft·5 sec·13th Street
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
3
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·15 sec·8th Street
4
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·Lakes To the Sea Highway
5
Continue on US 322
4.8 mi·7 min·US Highway 322
6
Continue on US 322
2.7 mi·4 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
7
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
8
Continue on US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
11
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
14
Merge onto I 80
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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 PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
30
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
31
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 43 minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of the route, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. Aim to include at least one intentional stop to break up the drive, as the constant navigation can be more draining than standard highway travel. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads often lack the immediate, frequent service stations found on major interstates. Because your total fuel cost is estimated at $51, filling up before you leave Franklin will help you maintain a smooth pace. Use the flexibility of this local path to adjust your speed based on road conditions, ensuring you remain alert throughout the entire 319.6-mile distance.
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 168.3 miles from Franklin, PA, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.8 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.3 miles or 3h 18m 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 16m
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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, PA
This is one driving day of about 336.5 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Franklin, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 205.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 318.2 and 336 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
318.2 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
321.8 mi into trip|~6h 7m 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
322.1 mi into trip|~6h 7m 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
335.1 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
336 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
$53.65 one way
$107.31 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$59.38
$118.76
premium
$4.81
$63.70
$127.39
diesel
$4.80
$63.54
$127.08
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)$9.76
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
$54
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101
1
$35.33
$16.15
Efficient EV
84.1
0
$29.44
$13.46
EV Truck/SUV
134.6
1
$47.11
$21.54
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Franklin, PA
Late night
in Franklin on Monday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Late night
in Philadelphia on Monday
Local time
5:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NW 5 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 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 29m 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.
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...
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 336.5
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 313.3
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 324.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route relies on local roads rather than interstate highways. You will spend your time navigating along Liberty Street, 8th Street, and the Lakes to the Sea Highway, which keeps you engaged with frequent turns and shifting road conditions. With a highway share of zero percent, this is the antithesis of a monotonous interstate grind. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on Liberty Street is zero miles, you will find that the path requires your full attention at the wheel. The journey feels intimate and localized, trading high-speed efficiency for a more technical, winding trajectory.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 205.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 318.2 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 336.5 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 318.2 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,752 ft45 ft
Total Climb
3,352 ft
Total Descent
4,318 ft
Highest Point
1,752 ft
~70.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,707 ft
Notable High Points
1,734 ft at ~154.3 miles+835 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
242.1 mi in|~4h 38m
Allentown
242.1 mi in|~4h 38m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Franklin is a city in Venango County, in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania. Franklin, Titusville and Oil City, make up the Oil Region. Although the town remains rather quiet, the oil boom has left the city with many historic buildings. The architectural features range from Victorian to Gothic Revival; it is said that all of the architectural styles used in the state from 1830 to 1930 can be observed in Franklin. The Appalachian Mountains and forests that surround the area also make it a popular destination for hikers and bikers looking to get out of the cities to experience nature.
Top landmarks
•Franklin Historic District — historic district in Franklin, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 336.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 205.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.76 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.
Yes — we found about 32 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 318.2 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, PA before the return drive.
