Traveling from Jim Thorpe to Upper Darby covers 80.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. Because this is a straightforward trek through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $13 for fuel to make the trip. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a functional choice for commuters or travelers heading toward the suburbs of Philadelphia. It is an efficient path that prioritizes speed over sightseeing, serving as a reliable connection between the mountainous areas of the north and the urbanized landscape near the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
22
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You should note that because the route is highly concentrated on highway travel, your pace will be dictated by traffic flow on the Turnpike rather than your own stop frequency. With no mandatory stops required for a drive under two hours, you can comfortably complete the journey in one go. If you are sensitive to toll road traffic, consider checking real-time highway conditions before you head out to avoid potential bottlenecks. Keep your fuel budget of $13 in mind, and ensure you are prepared for the transition from the expressway to the local streets of Lansdowne Avenue as you near your destination.
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 40.3 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 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 1h 21m
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 Jim Thorpe, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 56.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 74.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
6
7.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
5
7.5 mi into trip|~13m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
$13.38 one way
$26.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.65
$29.31
premium
$4.93
$15.65
$31.30
diesel
$5.61
$17.82
$35.64
Estimated Tolls: $7.30
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(56.1 mi)$7.30
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
$13
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Jim Thorpe, PA
Late night
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Late night
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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
1h 44m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 69.5
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 80.7
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
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 75.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by fast-paced transit, with 83% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 56.1 miles. As you transition away from the Turnpike, you will navigate the Mid-County Expressway before finalizing your route via Lansdowne Avenue. While the initial portion offers a consistent interstate pace, the character of the drive shifts slightly as you exit the highway system and enter the local road network leading into Upper Darby. Expect a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering.
83% 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: 56.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 7.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
803 ft56 ft
Total Climb
858 ft
Total Descent
1,525 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
~17.3 mi in
Elevation Range
747 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jim Thorpe, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Broomall.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m 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 56.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.30 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 Upper Darby, 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 7.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 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 Upper Darby, PA before heading back.
