Origin
Lenox, PA
Late night in Lenox on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
147.4 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lenox, PA
Haneul Trac
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
This 147.4-mile drive from Lenox, PA, to Philadelphia, PA, is a straightforward highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 2 hours and 53 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $24. The route primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, making it a fast-paced trip through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll spend virtually all your time on major highways, so plan for a consistent driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.7 miles from Lenox, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 111.3 mi | 2h 5m |
| I 81 | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| State Route 106 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Penn Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lenox, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
Start on PA 92
Turn left onto PA 106
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on 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
To make the most of this 2-hour and 53-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic as you approach Philadelphia. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $24, this trip offers flexibility. The longest stretch without a break is over 111 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so ensure you're comfortable with that before setting off. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you plan to drive outside of major service areas on the turnpike. This is a direct route, so focus on maintaining a steady pace and enjoying the efficient journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.7 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lenox, 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 Lenox, PA
This is one driving day of about 147.4 miles and 2h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 73.7 miles from Lenox, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 146.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 South: Clarks Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
$24.44 one way
$48.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $26.76 | $53.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $28.59 | $57.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $14.47
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
$24
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.48 | $7.08 |
| Efficient EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.90 | $5.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59 | 0 | $20.64 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night in Lenox on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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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Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey taking place on major interstates and turnpikes. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including an uninterrupted stretch of 111.3 miles. The Schuylkill Expressway will be your final approach into Philadelphia. This route offers a consistent, high-speed driving experience with minimal deviations onto local roads, allowing for efficient travel between your starting and ending points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 147.4 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 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133 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 Lenox, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp South, Patp and Valley Forge.
Patp South
Patp
Valley Forge
“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 2h 53m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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