Valley Forge Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Hopwood, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 32m
Distance
286.5 mi
461 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 19m
★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hopwood, PA
Christina & Peter
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 286.5-mile drive from Hopwood, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, is designed for efficient travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 32 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76, with a brief segment on US 119, this route is almost entirely highway driving at 95%. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, covering a significant distance without requiring an overnight stop. Budget around $48 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop to break up the journey. Since both your origin and destination are in the Northeast region, you'll experience a consistent driving environment throughout.
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
143.2 miles from Hopwood, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 236.3 mi | 4h 17m |
| I 76 | 18 mi | 26m |
| US 119 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| Pleasant Valley Road | 7.9 mi | 13m |
| PA 31 | 6 mi | 9m |
| Connellsville Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Connellsville Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| National Pike | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hopwood, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on US 40 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
National Pike
2
Continue on US 40 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
3
Turn right onto Connellsville Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Connellsville Street
4
Continue on Connellsville Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Connellsville Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
6
Continue on US 119
10 mi
·
12 min
·
US 119
7
Take the exit
244 ft
·
6 sec
8
Turn straight onto PA 982
7.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Pleasant Valley Road
9
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
PA 31
10
Turn slight left
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
11
Turn left
28 ft
·
3 sec
12
Take the ramp
493 ft
·
12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
14
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
236 mi
·
4 hr 17 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi
·
26 min
·
I 76
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
16
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 Philadelphia
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
21
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
22
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 32-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hopwood to bypass potential rush hour traffic as you approach Philadelphia. With 286.5 miles to cover, a single stop for fuel and a stretch of the legs is likely sufficient, but feel free to add more if needed. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 236.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods behind the wheel. Keep your estimated fuel cost of $48 in mind, and pay attention to toll plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 143.2 miles from Hopwood, PA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 63 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.2 miles or 2h 48m 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 28m
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 Hopwood, 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 Hopwood, PA
This is one driving day of about 286.5 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Hopwood, 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 236.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.2 miles from Hopwood, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 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.
South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Bomansville Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
North Somerset Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
South Somerset Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
King of Prussia Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Watering Trough
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 30.3 and 285.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the ramp toward PATP, I 70, I 76
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
8
267 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m 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
285 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m 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
285.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 30m 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
285.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m 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
$50.42 one way
$100.84 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $55.13 | $110.27 |
| premium | $5.23 | $58.95 | $117.89 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $69.70 | $139.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $30.72
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(236.3 mi)
$30.72
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
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86 | 1 | $30.08 | $13.75 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.07 | $11.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.6 | 1 | $40.11 | $18.34 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Hopwood, PA
Late night in Hopwood on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Widespread Frost
NE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Late night in Philadelphia on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
N 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
45°F
State Line, PA
143 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
26 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
5h 32m on the road
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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$1
near mile 286.3
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 286.3
View on nps.gov
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 167.8
View on nps.gov
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 266.6
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 59.2
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
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 highway-focused experience for 95% of this 286.5-mile journey. The Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76 form the backbone of this route, offering a direct and generally fast-paced drive. You'll encounter one uninterrupted stretch of highway for a considerable 236.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making it ideal for covering ground quickly. While the majority is high-speed interstate, be aware that the initial portion on US 119 might offer a slightly different road feel before merging onto the turnpike.
95% 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: 236.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 30.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 286.5 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 30.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,502 ft
45 ft
Total Climb
1,871 ft
Total Descent
2,936 ft
Highest Point
2,502 ft
~40.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,458 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Hopwood, PA to Philadelphia, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Patp
30.3 mi in
|
~44m
About the Cities
Starting in Hopwood, PA
Full guide →Arriving in Philadelphia, PA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- • Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- • Philadelphia City Hall — historic building housing Philadelphia's municipal government
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 5h 32m. Total distance: 286.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $30.72 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 285 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 Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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