Traveling from Hershey to Philadelphia covers approximately 94.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. This route is perfectly suited as a simple one-day trip, as it does not require an overnight stay to complete comfortably. You can expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly excursion across the Northeast region. Because the drive relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you have the flexibility to manage your own pace throughout the trip. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this direct connection through Pennsylvania is straightforward and easy to navigate.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Hershey, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
59.5 mi
1h 3m
I 76
18 mi
26m
Horseshoe Pike
11 mi
17m
East Governor Road
2.1 mi
3m
Homestead Road
0.9 mi
2m
Vine Street Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
North 15th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hershey, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Take the ramp
393 ft·10 sec
3
Merge onto US 422
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Chocolate Avenue
4
Turn right onto Homestead Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Homestead Road
5
Turn left onto US 322
0.3 mi·33 sec·East Governor Road
6
Enter roundabout onto US 322
102 ft·1 sec·East Governor Road
7
Continue on US 322
0.4 mi·36 sec·East Governor Road
8
Enter roundabout onto US 322
102 ft·1 sec·East Governor Road
9
Continue on US 322
1.3 mi·1 min·East Governor Road
10
Continue on US 322
0.8 mi·1 min·Horseshoe Pike
11
Continue on US 322
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
12
Continue on US 322
10 mi·15 min·Horseshoe Pike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward PATP
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 Toll East: Valley Forge
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
60 mi·1 hr 3 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
22
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
23
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You won't need to worry about planning long rest stops, as the direct nature of the local roads allows for a continuous drive to your destination. Keep in mind that your $15 fuel budget is based on current estimates, so it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Hershey to avoid hunting for stations along the local route. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your GPS is mounted and ready to go before you pull away from the curb. Staying alert is key, as the reliance on local roads means you will be navigating intersections frequently rather than cruising on a straight path.
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 47.4 miles from Hershey, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 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 34m
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 Hershey, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hershey, PA
This is one driving day of about 94.7 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Hershey, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 59.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.2 and 94.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll East: Valley Forge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 Toll East: Valley Forge
8
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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...
6
94.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward Central Philadelphia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Central Philadelphia
9
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
$15.70 one way
$31.40 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.20
$34.39
premium
$4.93
$18.37
$36.73
diesel
$5.61
$20.91
$41.82
Estimated Tolls: $7.74
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(59.5 mi)$7.74
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
$16
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.94
$4.55
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.29
$3.79
EV Truck/SUV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 14, 2026
Origin
Hershey, PA
Morning
in Hershey on Sunday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 3:26PM EDT until April 14 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:51PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
17 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
1h 59m 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.
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...
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...
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...
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 65.3
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...
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 rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features 0% highway driving. You will navigate via East Chocolate Avenue, Homestead Road, and East Governor Road, which keeps you off the fast-paced expressway system. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on East Chocolate Avenue, you should anticipate constant maneuvering and turning throughout the entire 94.7-mile journey. This profile demands your full attention behind the wheel, offering a more hands-on driving experience compared to a standard highway haul. It is an ideal choice if you prefer avoiding heavy traffic merging and high-speed lane changes.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.2 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hershey, PA to Philadelphia, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Hershey is an unincorporated village in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. It has a rich history and cultural significance being the birthplace of Hershey's Chocolate. One of the village's most well known attractions is Hersheypark, a theme park that provides fun for the family.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 94.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.74 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.
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.
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 15.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.2 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). 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 Philadelphia, PA before heading back.
