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Trip from Greencastle, PA to Upper Darby, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

165.5 mi

266 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 12m ★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough of Pennsylvania

Greencastle, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 165.5-mile drive from Greencastle, PA, to Upper Darby, PA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. The journey is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-81, and the Mid-County Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. You'll be spending most of your time on fast-paced highway stretches, making it a straightforward transit between these two points within the Northeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

82.8 miles from Greencastle, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 99.8 mi 1h 46m
I 81 40.5 mi 47m
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
Harrisburg Pike 2.1 mi 4m
Walnut Bottom Road 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 99.8 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greencastle, PA and Upper Darby, PA.

1

Start on PA 16

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Baltimore Street
2

Continue on PA 16

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Buchanan Trail East
3

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 81 North: Chambersburg Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 81

40 mi · 47 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 45 Toward College Street Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn left onto Walnut Bottom Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Walnut Bottom Road
7

Turn left onto South West Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South West Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Turn right onto West North Street

0.3 mi · 43 sec · West North Street
9

Turn left onto US 11; PA 34

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Hanover Street
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on US 11

2.1 mi · 4 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
11

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76, PATP Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto I 76; PATP

100 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto I 76

5.1 mi · 7 min · I 76
Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 331A Toward I 476 South: Chester Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 476

6.4 mi · 8 min · Mid-County Expressway
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 59 sec
Exit 9 Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn left onto PA 3

2.5 mi · 5 min · West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19

Turn slight right onto Darby Road

471 ft · 13 sec · Darby Road
Use the right lane.
20

Continue on Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn right onto West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Providence Road
22

Arrive at destination

West Providence Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 23-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Greencastle in the morning will help you avoid potential peak traffic closer to Philadelphia. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially during the 99.8-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as highway services can sometimes be spaced out, and the estimated $27 fuel cost is a good budget benchmark for this 165.5-mile trip.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.8 miles from Greencastle, PA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.8 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 36 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.8 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 38m

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 Greencastle, 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 Greencastle, PA

This is one driving day of about 165.5 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Greencastle, 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 99.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown South Lebanon, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Lebanon, PA

83 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Middlesex, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmyra, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.8 miles from Greencastle, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

Wharton Esherick Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Malvern, Pennsylvania

+16106445822

Visit website

The Escape Game King Of Prussia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16106248058

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - King of Prussia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+16105954359

Visit website

Arnold's Family Fun Center

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–9 pm

+16106660600

Visit website

Heuser Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16102651071

Visit website

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 0.9 and 159.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 81 North: Chambersburg

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 81 North: Chambersburg
7
41.5 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward College Street

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 45 Toward College Street
7
47 mi into trip | ~1h 2m 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. Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
147.3 mi into trip | ~2h 50m 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
8
159.4 mi into trip | ~3h 8m 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

$27.44 one way

$54.88 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $30.05 $60.10
premium $4.93 $32.10 $64.19
diesel $5.61 $36.54 $73.08

Estimated Tolls: $12.97

Pennsylvania Turnpike (99.8 mi) $12.97

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

$27

Tolls

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.7 0 $17.38 $7.94
Efficient EV 41.4 0 $14.48 $6.62
EV Truck/SUV 66.2 0 $23.17 $10.59

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 20, 2026

Origin

Greencastle, PA

Morning in Greencastle on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Upper Darby, PA

Morning in Upper Darby on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

South Lebanon, PA

83 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

15 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

3h 23m 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.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 45.7
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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 148.4
View on nps.gov
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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $1 near mile 165.5
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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 165.5
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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 ~32 min detour Free near mile 85.6
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...

16 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 159.8
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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a substantial 92% of the drive being on major expressways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 99.8 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This means you'll be in a high-speed, efficient driving environment for the majority of your journey. The character of the road is consistent, designed for swift travel rather than leisurely sightseeing, with minimal transitions to slower, local roads.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 165.5 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 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.

Between Greencastle, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Philadelphia.

Patp

46.4 mi in | ~1h

Philadelphia

147.3 mi in | ~2h 50m | via I 76

About the Cities

Arriving in Upper Darby, PA

Full guide →

Upper Darby is a city in 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 3h 23m. Total distance: 165.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $12.97 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: at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Upper Darby, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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