Satellite Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
298.2 mi
480 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake City, PA
Robert So
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
This 298.2-mile journey from Lake City, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 49 minutes. The route utilizes a mix of major roadways, including the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and the Schuylkill Expressway, with 31% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $49, this drive offers a straightforward path through Pennsylvania. It's a manageable distance for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop if you depart with enough daylight.
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
149.1 miles from Lake City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 179.4 mi | 3h 15m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Cherry Street | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| Game School Road | 7.4 mi | 17m |
| Lake City Road | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Richardsville Road | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on Swedetown Road
Turn left onto PA 949
Continue on Richardsville Road
Turn left onto Game School Road
Turn left onto PA 28
Continue on PA 28
Turn right onto US 219
Continue on US 219
Turn left
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour, 49-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lake City to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you near Philadelphia. You'll cover 298.2 miles, with the longest stretch being 179.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost is $49. Given the 'mixed drive' profile, be prepared for varying speed limits and road conditions throughout the trip. Keep an eye out for transitions between the Keystone Shortway, the Turnpike Northeast Extension, and the Schuylkill Expressway as you get closer to your destination.
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.
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 66 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.1 miles or 2h 59m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lake City, 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 Lake City, PA
This is one driving day of about 298.2 miles and 5h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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.
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 149.1 miles from Lake City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Coffee Stop
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Hours: 12–10 pm
+12154653515
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 12–10 pm
+12154653515
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Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12678869851
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Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
+12673191700
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Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
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Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
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Falls Creek, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
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Drums, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18447982438
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+12152991000
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm
+12154481200
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+12157330390
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12159652305
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+12159233811
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+12159652305
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14452232683
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 4–9:30 pm
+12154546159
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 279.8 and 297.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$49.44 one way
$98.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $54.15 | $108.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $57.83 | $115.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.84 | $131.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$49
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.5 | 1 | $31.31 | $14.31 |
| Efficient EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.09 | $11.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.3 | 1 | $41.75 | $19.08 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Lake City on Sunday
Local time
9:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Morning in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
9:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a mixed driving experience on this 298.2-mile route. While 31% of your travel will be on highways, the majority is a 'mixed drive' profile, suggesting a combination of faster stretches and potentially more local road sections. The longest uninterrupted segment is 179.4 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance for sustained travel. As you approach Philadelphia, you'll transition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and then the Schuylkill Expressway, indicating a shift towards busier, more urban driving conditions.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 279.8 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
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 19 significant decision points across 298.2 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 279.8 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake City, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
Allentown
“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 298.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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