This 74.6-mile drive from Greenwood, DE to Elsmere, DE is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate along the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, South Dupont Highway, and Kirkwood Highway. With a projected fuel cost of around $12, this route is quite budget-friendly. The journey is characterized by its frequent turns, offering a more involved local driving experience rather than a straightforward highway cruise. Given its short duration and manageable distance, it's an ideal route for a spontaneous day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Greenwood, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
42.1 mi
49m
South Dupont Highway
21.1 mi
25m
Kirkwood Highway
3.5 mi
6m
Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi
3m
Sussex Highway
2 mi
2m
Stanton Christiana Road
1.6 mi
2m
Limestone Road
1 mi
1m
East Market Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 42.1 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood, DE and Elsmere, DE.
1
Start on DE 16; DE 36
0.4 mi·52 sec·East Market Street
2
Turn left onto US 13
2.0 mi·2 min·Sussex Highway
3
Continue on US 13
21 mi·25 min·South Dupont Highway
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
5
Continue on Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi·3 min·Puncheon Run Connector
6
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
2.3 mi·2 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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
6.5 mi·7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1
5.7 mi·7 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on DE 7
1.6 mi·2 min·Stanton Christiana Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on DE 7; DE 4
0.4 mi·36 sec·Mitch Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on DE 7
1.0 mi·1 min·Limestone Road
13
Turn right onto DE 2
3.5 mi·6 min·Kirkwood Highway
Use the right lane.
14
Arrive at destination
DE 2
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 74.6-mile trip, flexibility is your best friend. You can depart at any time of day, but consider traffic patterns if you're traveling during peak commuter hours. With a total duration of just over 1.5 hours and a fuel cost of approximately $12, making extensive stops isn't necessary, but you'll want to factor in time for any brief pauses you desire. A helpful tip for this route: pay close attention to the numerous turns, especially those involving the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and Kirkwood Highway, to ensure you stay on track efficiently.
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 37.3 miles from Greenwood, DE, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.1 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 45m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elsmere, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Greenwood, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greenwood, DE
This is one driving day of about 74.6 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Greenwood, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 42.1 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 62.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|US 13 / Sussex Highway
Turn left onto US 13 / Sussex Highway
Navigation decision point
5
23.6 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
4
28.3 mi into trip|~35m in|DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
56 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.37 one way
$24.74 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.55
$27.09
premium
$4.93
$14.47
$28.94
diesel
$5.61
$16.47
$32.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.53
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.44
$4.77
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Greenwood, DE
Night
in Greenwood on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Elsmere, DE
Night
in Elsmere on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
63°F
Smyrna, DE
37 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
7 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
1h 32m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 74.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 74.6-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. While there are no extended interstate stretches, you'll encounter a longest uninterrupted segment of 42.1 miles on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. This means you'll be engaging with local traffic and road layouts for a significant portion of the drive. The route transitions between various local roads, requiring your attention to navigation and traffic signals throughout the 1 hour and 32 minute travel time.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.1 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 13 / Sussex Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 74.6 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.4 miles (US 13 / Sussex Highway): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Greenwood, DE and Elsmere, DE, road signs point toward Wilmington and Baltimore.
Wilmington
23.6 mi in|~29m
Baltimore
62.5 mi in|~1h 14m|via DE 1
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 74.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.1 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.4 miles (US 13 / Sussex Highway): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles (DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Elsmere, DE before heading back.
