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Trip from Irwin, PA to Upper Darby, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

279.8 mi

450 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

borough of Pennsylvania

Irwin, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 279.8-mile drive from Irwin, PA, to Upper Darby, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76. You can expect a fuel cost of around $46 for this trip. Given the relatively short duration and highway-centric nature, it's perfectly manageable as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the travel experience consistent 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

139.9 miles from Irwin, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 259.6 mi 4h 42m
Mid-County Expressway 6.4 mi 8m
I 76 5.1 mi 7m
Lansdowne Avenue 3 mi 8m
West Chester Pike 2.5 mi 5m
Lincoln Highway 1.2 mi 2m
West Providence Road 0.3 mi <1m
Darby Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 259.6 mi, about 4h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Irwin, PA and Upper Darby, PA.

1

Start on this road

202 ft · 18 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Lombard Street

285 ft · 19 sec · Lombard Street
3

Turn left onto US 30

1.2 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward PATP, I 76
5

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · this road
Toward PATP, I 76
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 76; PATP

260 mi · 4 hr 42 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto I 76

5.1 mi · 7 min · I 76
Exit 326 Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 331A Toward I 476 South: Chester Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 476

6.4 mi · 8 min · Mid-County Expressway
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 59 sec
Exit 9 Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn left onto PA 3

2.5 mi · 5 min · West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13

Turn slight right onto Darby Road

471 ft · 13 sec · Darby Road
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Providence Road
16

Arrive at destination

West Providence Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Philadelphia area. With a longest stretch of 259.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan for your primary fuel and rest stop within that segment. While it's a comfortable one-day trip, the flexibility allows you to depart at your leisure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on longer interstate stretches, and the estimated $46 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting.

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 139.9 miles from Irwin, PA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.6 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 62 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 139.9 miles or 2h 34m 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 12m

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 Irwin, 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 Irwin, PA

This is one driving day of about 279.8 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Irwin, 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 259.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hilltown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hilltown, PA

140 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.

Popular next leg

Hilltown, PA to Upper Darby, PA

142.2 mi · 3h 5m

Pacing Suggestions

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Irwin, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 259.6 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.

Best meal stop

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

1.5 mi

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

2.3 mi

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17245155983

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

The Nest Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $40 to $50

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17245279880

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Adamsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Herminie, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

The Escape Game King Of Prussia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16106248058

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - King of Prussia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+16105954359

Visit website

Wharton Esherick Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Malvern, Pennsylvania

+16106445822

Visit website

Arnold's Family Fun Center

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–9 pm

+16106660600

Visit website

Heuser Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16102651071

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 273.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lombard Street

Turn right onto Lombard Street

Navigation decision point

7
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
8
261.5 mi into trip | ~4h 47m 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
266.6 mi into trip | ~4h 55m 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
273.6 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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

$46.39 one way

$92.77 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $50.80 $101.61
premium $4.93 $54.26 $108.53
diesel $5.61 $61.78 $123.55

Estimated Tolls: $33.75

Pennsylvania Turnpike (259.6 mi) $33.75

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

$46

Tolls

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$105–$130

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.9 1 $29.38 $13.43
Efficient EV 70 0 $24.48 $11.19
EV Truck/SUV 111.9 1 $39.17 $17.91

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 20, 2026

Origin

Irwin, PA

Morning in Irwin on Tuesday

Local time

8:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Upper Darby, PA

Morning in Upper Darby on Tuesday

Local time

8:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

62°F

Hilltown, PA

140 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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 20m 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.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 260.5
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 164
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 57.9
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $1 near mile 279.8
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 279.8
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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 202.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of your travel occurring on high-speed interstates. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be your main companion for the longest stretch, a continuous 259.6-mile segment that minimizes the need for frequent exits. This means you'll be covering significant ground efficiently, with the Mid-County Expressway and I-76 also forming key parts of the journey. The drive's character remains consistent, offering a straightforward and direct path from point A to point B.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 259.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lombard Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 279.8 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: near the start (Lombard Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.5 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.

On the drive from Irwin, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.

Philadelphia

261.5 mi in | ~4h 47m | via I 76

About the Cities

Arriving in Upper Darby, PA

Full guide →

Upper Darby is a city in Pennsylvania.

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 20m. Total distance: 279.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 259.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $33.75 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: near the start (Lombard Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.5 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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