Satellite Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
302.8 mi
487 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henderson, PA
Ezkol Arnak
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Embarking on a 302.8-mile journey from Henderson, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, will take you approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. This route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, it's a budget-friendly option for traversing the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The drive primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Schuylkill Expressway, offering a varied driving experience. You'll find this trip to be a practical and straightforward way to connect these two points within the state.
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
151.4 miles from Henderson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 205.8 mi | 3h 43m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Route 322 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Simpson Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Henderson, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on Kingsville Road
Continue on C L School Road
Turn right onto Simpson Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 322
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour and 39-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Henderson, PA, to avoid potential traffic closer to Philadelphia. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; however, the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles, so plan for a break around that mark. The estimated fuel cost is $50, so ensure your tank is full before you leave. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition onto the Schuylkill Expressway as it can become quite congested, especially during peak hours.
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.
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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.4 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Henderson, 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 Henderson, PA
This is one driving day of about 302.8 miles and 5h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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.
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 151.4 miles from Henderson, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 205.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break · home stretch
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 12–10 pm
+12154653515
CNT Cafe
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Holy Cannoli! Cafe
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Near the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 12–10 pm
+12154653515
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12678869851
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
+12673191700
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Drums, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18447982438
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+12152991000
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm
+12154481200
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+12157330390
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12159652305
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+12159233811
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+12159652305
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14452232683
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 4–9:30 pm
+12154546159
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 284.4 and 302.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$50.20 one way
$100.40 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $54.98 | $109.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $58.72 | $117.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.85 | $133.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$50
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.79 | $14.53 |
| Efficient EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.50 | $12.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.1 | 1 | $42.39 | $19.38 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Henderson on Tuesday
Local time
8:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
8:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive offers a mixed terrain, with 31% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 205.8 miles on the Keystone Shortway, likely providing a consistent pace for a large portion of your travel. As you progress, the route transitions to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and finally the Schuylkill Expressway, suggesting a shift from potentially more open highway to busier, more urban approaches as you near Philadelphia. Expect a drive that balances open road cruising with the increasing complexity of reaching a major metropolitan area.
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 284.4 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
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 302.8 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 284.4 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 288 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Henderson, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
Allentown
“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 302.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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