Houston, PA to Upper Darby, PA is 310.9 miles and takes about 6h 11m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the western part of the state towards the east. It's a highway-focused journey, meaning you'll be spending most of your time on major interstates. Given the relatively short duration and highway profile, this trip is best suited for a single-day drive, especially if you're looking to get to your destination efficiently.
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
155.4 miles from Houston, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
252 mi
4h 34m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
29.7 mi
41m
Mid-County Expressway
6.4 mi
8m
I 76
5.1 mi
7m
PA 519
4.2 mi
7m
Brownlee Road
3.6 mi
8m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
West Chester Pike
2.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 252 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
131 ft·7 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn right onto West Pike Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·West Pike Street
3
Turn right onto PA 519
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on PA 519
1.4 mi·2 min·Hill Church Houston Road
5
Turn right onto PA 519
4.1 mi·6 min·PA 519
6
Turn slight right onto PA 519
137 ft·2 sec·PA 519
7
Enter roundabout onto PA 519
101 ft·2 sec·PA 519
8
Continue on PA 519
439 ft·8 sec·PA 519
9
Enter roundabout onto Brownlee Road
187 ft·4 sec·Brownlee Road
10
Continue on Brownlee Road
3.6 mi·8 min·Brownlee Road
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
12
Merge onto I 70
30 mi·41 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 70
0.5 mi·1 min·I 70
Exit 58Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
15
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
252 mi·4 hr 34 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi·7 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 331AToward I 476 South: ChesterUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi·8 min·Mid-County Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·59 sec
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
24
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Houston, PA, to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Philadelphia area. With a recommended one-day drive, you can comfortably make one planned stop for fuel and a break. The longest stretch is over 250 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so ensure you have ample fuel before entering this section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 155.4 miles from Houston, PA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 68 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.4 miles or 3h 8m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Houston, 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 Houston, PA
This is one driving day of about 310.9 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Houston, 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 252 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.7 and 304.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
39.7 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
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 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
40.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
8
292.6 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
7
297.7 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
8
304.7 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
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 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.54 one way
$103.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$56.45
$112.90
premium
$4.93
$60.30
$120.59
diesel
$5.61
$68.64
$137.29
Estimated Tolls: $32.77
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(252 mi)$32.77
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
$52
Tolls
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.3
1
$32.64
$14.92
Efficient EV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.44
EV Truck/SUV
124.4
1
$43.53
$19.90
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Houston, PA
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Late night
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
155 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
4 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 11m 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.
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 192.9
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 289.4
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 85.8
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 310.9
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 235.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The majority of your travel will be on these high-speed corridors, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 252 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. This character means less time navigating local roads and more time covering distance efficiently.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.7 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 310.9 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 39.7 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292.6 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Houston, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Patp: Harrisburg
39.7 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 70
Pittsburgh
39.7 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 70
Philadelphia
292.6 mi in|~5h 38m|via I 76
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 310.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.77 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 Upper Darby, 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 39.7 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292.6 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Darby, PA before the return drive.
