This 332.4-mile drive from Hemlock to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is achievable in about 6 hours and 56 minutes, making it a solid day trip option. You'll navigate primarily using the Keystone Shortway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and PA 948. With a fuel cost estimated around $55, this journey offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The drive profile is described as 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a varied experience on the road. You can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, though planning for one stop is recommended for comfort.
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
166.2 miles from Hemlock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.4 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75.1 mi
1h 21m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Schuylkill Expressway
12.6 mi
17m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Hoovertown Road
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.4 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hemlock, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on this road
99 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Hemlock Road
3.5 mi·13 min·Hemlock Road
3
Continue on Hemlock Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Hemlock Street
4
Turn left onto US 6 Business
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue East
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
8
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
9
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Take the exit
265 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
11
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
12
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
13
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
14
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
15
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
16
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
17
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
18
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
19
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
20
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
21
Merge onto I 80
165 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
22
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.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
31
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
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.
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
36
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
37
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
38
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 56-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hemlock to maximize your daylight and arrive in Philadelphia with time to spare. With a total distance of 332.4 miles, planning for one strategically placed stop is advisable to break up the journey. The longest stretch is 165.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so perhaps plan your stop after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway portions, and note the estimated fuel cost of $55 for budgeting purposes.
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 166.2 miles from Hemlock, PA, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 73 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.2 miles or 3h 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 5h 44m
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 Hemlock, 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 Hemlock, PA
This is one driving day of about 332.4 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Hemlock, 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 165.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 314 and 331.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
314 mi into trip|~6h 29m 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
317.6 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
318 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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
331 mi into trip|~6h 53m 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
331.9 mi into trip|~6h 55m 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
$55.11 one way
$110.22 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$60.36
$120.71
premium
$4.93
$64.46
$128.93
diesel
$5.61
$73.39
$146.78
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
$55
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.08
$13.30
EV Truck/SUV
133
1
$46.54
$21.27
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hemlock, PA
Late night
in Hemlock on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Late night
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live 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
7 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 56m 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 332.4
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 309.5
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 321
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 332.4-mile route, with 36% of the drive on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 165.4 miles along the Keystone Shortway, which will allow for sustained progress. The inclusion of PA 948 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension indicates a transition between different types of roads. This blend means you'll likely experience both faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied driving conditions on other segments as you approach Philadelphia.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 314 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 332.4 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 314 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,170 ft45 ft
Total Climb
2,447 ft
Total Descent
3,612 ft
Highest Point
2,170 ft
~47.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,126 ft
Notable High Points
1,449 ft at ~237.4 miles+562 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hemlock, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
238 mi in|~5h 6m
Allentown
238 mi in|~5h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 332.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m 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 165.4 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 314 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.
