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Trip from Lake City, PA to Philadelphia, PA

Compiled 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 36m ★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 41m

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

Downtown Lake City, PA, PA

Lake City, PA

Robert So

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 179.4 mi, about 3h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

1

Start on Swedetown Road

68 ft · 7 sec · Swedetown Road
2

Turn left onto PA 949

4.2 mi · 6 min · Lake City Road
3

Continue on Richardsville Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Richardsville Road
4

Turn left onto Game School Road

7.4 mi · 17 min · Game School Road
5

Turn left onto PA 28

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Route 28 North
6

Continue on PA 28

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street
7

Turn right onto US 219

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Clark Street
8

Continue on US 219

7.5 mi · 9 min · Cherry Street
9

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
10

Merge onto I 80

179 mi · 3 hr 15 min · Keystone Shortway
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
14

Merge onto I 476; PATP

75 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 476; PATP

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
17

Continue on I 476

3.4 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 16 Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 16A Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia Use the slight left lane.
20

Merge onto I 76

13 mi · 17 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

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 Philadelphia Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia Use the slight right lane.
24

Turn right onto North 15th Street

0.4 mi · 48 sec · North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
25

Turn slight left onto PA 611

379 ft · 8 sec · South Penn Square
26

Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square

167 ft · 2 sec · South Penn Square
27

Arrive at destination

South Penn Square

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 149.1 miles from Lake City, PA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.4 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Lake City, 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 179.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Clearfield, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Harrisburg, PA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

RIM Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 298.2

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12154653515

Visit website

CNT Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1.3 mi

Holy Cannoli! Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 mi

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

RIM Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12154653515

Visit website

CNT Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12678869851

Visit website

Holy Cannoli! Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+12673191700

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 213

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 213

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 213

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 213

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 170.4

Nescopeck, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 21.3

Falls Creek, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 191.7

Drums, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 191.7

Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+12152991000

Visit website

The Franklin Institute

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+12154481200

Visit website

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12157330390

Visit website

Independence Hall

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12159652305

Visit website

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+12159233811

Visit website

Independence National Historical Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

+12159652305

Visit website

NEST Center City

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14452232683

Visit website

MindEscape Escape Room Philadelphia

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 298.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–9:30 pm

+12154546159

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

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.

7
279.8 mi into trip | ~5h 22m 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
283.4 mi into trip | ~5h 27m 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
283.7 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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
296.7 mi into trip | ~5h 46m 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
297.6 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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

$49.44 one way

$98.88 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
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

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

$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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lake City, PA

Morning in Lake City on Sunday

Local time

9:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 mph 75% chance Live forecast

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

Philadelphia, PA

Morning in Philadelphia on Sunday

Local time

9:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

92°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

14 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

5h 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.

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 near mile 298.2
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 298.2
View on nps.gov
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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 277.6
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 287.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

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.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

203.7 mi in | ~3h 58m

Allentown

203.7 mi in | ~3h 58m

About the Cities

Arriving in Philadelphia, PA

Full guide →

“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682

Top landmarks

  • Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Liberty Bell — bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA that serves as a symbol of American inde...
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 179.4 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 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.

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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.

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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