Origin
Kimmel, PA
Morning in Kimmel on Sunday
Local time
10:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kimmel, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
243.9 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 36m
★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kimmel, PA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Kimmel, PA to Upper Darby, PA is 243.9 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a highly focused highway journey, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a quick transit. This trip is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without much fuss.
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
122 miles from Kimmel, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 216.5 mi | 3h 56m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| New Centerville Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Cross Road | 1.5 mi | 5m |
| South Center Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 216.5 mi, about 3h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimmel, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on SR 3029
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Copper Kettle Highway
2
Turn left onto Cross Road
1.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Road
3
Turn left onto PA 281
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Centerville Road
4
Continue on PA 281
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Tayman Avenue
5
Continue on PA 31; PA 281
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Patriot Street
6
Turn left onto South Center Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Center Avenue
7
Turn left onto Ramada Road
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ramada Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
217 mi
·
3 hr 56 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
18
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 49-minute estimated duration, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is over 216 miles, so plan for your primary fuel and rest stop before or during this segment. With a fuel cost estimate of around $40, it's a budget-friendly option. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Philadelphia metropolitan area near Upper Darby.
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 122 miles from Kimmel, PA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216.5 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
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 Kimmel, 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 Kimmel, PA
This is one driving day of about 243.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Kimmel, 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 216.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122 miles from Kimmel, 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 216.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 237.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cross Road
Turn left onto Cross Road
Navigation decision point
5
9.1 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 70; I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
225.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m 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
230.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m 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
237.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m 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
$40.44 one way
$80.87 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $44.29 | $88.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $47.30 | $94.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.85 | $107.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $28.15
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(216.5 mi)
$28.15
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
$40
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.61 | $11.71 |
| Efficient EV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.15 | $15.61 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Morning in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
10:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Middlesex, PA
122 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
29 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
4h 49m 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.
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 126.2
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 227.1
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 16.8
View on nps.gov
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 243.9
View on nps.gov
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 243.9
View on nps.gov
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 168.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 93% of the 243.9 miles taking place on major expressways. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 216.5 miles. Expect swift progress and minimal distractions during this significant portion of the journey. The route relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Mid-County Expressway, suggesting a consistent, high-speed profile for most of the drive, with brief transitions onto local roads like New Centerville Road.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 216.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Cross Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 243.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.3 miles (Cross Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles (I 70; I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.7 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.
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 Kimmel, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.
Philadelphia
225.7 mi in
|
~4h 16m
|
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 4h 49m. Total distance: 243.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 216.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.15 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 0.3 miles (Cross Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles (I 70; I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Upper Darby, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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