Knox, PA to Philadelphia, PA is 320.9 miles and takes about 6h via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Schuylkill Expressway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards Philadelphia. Given its single-day duration and mostly surface road profile, it offers a straightforward drive. Plan for a full day of travel, as the route covers a significant distance with a moderate amount of highway driving.
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
160.5 miles from Knox, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
222.2 mi
4h 1m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75.1 mi
1h 21m
Schuylkill Expressway
12.6 mi
17m
Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
PA 338
1.6 mi
2m
Knox Road
1 mi
2m
Vine Street Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
Canoe Ripple Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 222.2 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,479
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knox, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on Knox Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Knox Road
3
Turn right onto PA 338
1.6 mi·2 min·PA 338
4
Turn left onto Canoe Ripple Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Canoe Ripple Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
222 mi·4 hr 1 min·Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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 PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
22
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
23
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Knox to avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Philadelphia. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $54, and be aware that the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 222 miles, so plan your refueling before entering that segment if needed. The final approach into Philadelphia via the Schuylkill Expressway can be busy, so factor that into your arrival time.
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 160.5 miles from Knox, PA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.2 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 71 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.5 miles or 2h 58m 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 51m
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 Knox, 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 Knox, PA
This is one driving day of about 320.9 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Knox, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 222.2 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 302.5 and 320.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
302.5 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
306.1 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
306.5 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
319.5 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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...
9
320.4 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
$51.17 one way
$102.33 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$56.62
$113.25
premium
$4.81
$60.74
$121.49
diesel
$4.80
$60.59
$121.18
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)$9.76
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
$51
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.3
1
$33.69
$15.40
Efficient EV
80.2
0
$28.08
$12.84
EV Truck/SUV
128.4
1
$44.93
$20.54
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Knox, PA
Morning
in Knox on Monday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Monday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% 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
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 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.
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...
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 320.9
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 298.8
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 309.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 29% of this 320.9-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 222.2 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After this, you'll transition to mostly surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through more developed areas as you approach your destination.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 302.5 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 320.9 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 302.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 306.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,784 ft45 ft
Total Climb
2,314 ft
Total Descent
3,652 ft
Highest Point
1,784 ft
~137.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,739 ft
Notable High Points
1,784 ft at ~137.5 miles+708 ft prominence
1,704 ft at ~229.2 miles+624 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knox, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 320.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 222.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.76 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 302.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 306.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
