This 297-mile drive from Lake City, PA to Upper Darby, PA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 52 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and the Mid-County Expressway. With a projected fuel cost of around $49, this trip is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The route offers a mixed driving profile, making it a manageable journey for most drivers. Planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient to break up the drive.
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
148.5 miles from Lake City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
179.4 mi
3h 15m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75.1 mi
1h 21m
Mid-County Expressway
10.8 mi
14m
Cherry Street
7.5 mi
9m
Game School Road
7.4 mi
17m
Lake City Road
4.2 mi
6m
Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
West Chester Pike
2.5 mi
5m
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 Upper Darby, 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
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
23
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
For this 5 hour and 52 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lake City to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you get closer to Upper Darby. With a projected fuel cost of $49, you'll want to ensure you start with a full tank. While one stop is recommended, the longest stretch is under 180 miles, so you have flexibility in timing your break. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential toll sections, particularly on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and have your payment method ready.
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 148.5 miles from Lake City, PA, or about 2h 58m 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 65 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.5 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 43m
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 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 297 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 203.7 and 290.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
203.7 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allen...
6
204.7 mi into trip|~4h in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
5
204.9 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
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
290.8 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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
$49.24 one way
$98.48 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.93
$107.86
premium
$4.93
$57.60
$115.20
diesel
$5.61
$65.57
$131.15
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: 103.9 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
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.26
Efficient EV
74.3
0
$25.99
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.58
$19.01
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
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph75% chanceLive 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
Upper Darby, PA
Morning
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
5h 52m 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.
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 286.8
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...
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 297
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this 297-mile route, with about 30% of your journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 179.4 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of steady driving. As you progress, the road character shifts, moving from more open highway segments to potentially more complex routes as you approach your destination. This mixed drive profile means you'll experience both efficient travel and moments requiring closer attention to navigation and traffic.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 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?
8/10
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 203.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 297 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 203.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204.9 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 297 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m 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 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 203.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Darby, PA before the return drive.
