Traveling from Midland to Philadelphia covers 340.5 miles across the state of Pennsylvania. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes, making this a challenging but manageable day trip for those comfortable with longer stints behind the wheel. Budgeting around $56 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the journey. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will want to keep your schedule flexible. Whether you choose to power through in one day or break it up for a more relaxed pace, knowing the route involves significant local navigation is key to a successful departure.
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
170.7 miles from Midland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
298.7 mi
5h 24m
I 76
18 mi
26m
Midland Beaver Road
6.2 mi
12m
Freedom Crider Road
4.4 mi
6m
PA 51
3.4 mi
4m
Freedom Road
2.5 mi
4m
3rd Street
1.5 mi
3m
Crows Run Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 298.7 mi, about 5h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on 12th Street
49 ft·10 sec·12th Street
2
Turn left onto PA 68; PA 168
0.3 mi·22 sec·Midland Avenue
3
Continue on PA 68; PA 168
6.2 mi·12 min·Midland Beaver Road
4
Continue on PA 68
1.1 mi·2 min·State Street
5
Continue on PA 68
0.6 mi·1 min·State Avenue
6
Continue on PA 68
1.5 mi·3 min·3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 68
0.4 mi·37 sec·PA 68
Toward RochesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto PA 51
3.4 mi·4 min·PA 51
Toward PA 51 South, PA 65 South: PittsburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Crows Run Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Crows Run Road
10
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Freedom Crider Road
11
Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road
102 ft·1 sec·Freedom Crider Road
12
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Freedom Crider Road
13
Continue on Freedom Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Freedom Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 19
0.2 mi·26 sec·Perry Highway
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: HarrisburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
18
Merge onto I 76; PATP
299 mi·5 hr 24 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
25
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
26
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 37-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day local congestion. Although the trip is doable in one day, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay alert during the turn-heavy segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $56 estimate may fluctuate based on current local prices along your path. Since you aren't on high-speed highways, use the flexibility of the local roads to pull over safely whenever you need a quick reset. Prioritize steady pacing over speed to ensure a smooth transition from the start in Midland to your arrival in Philadelphia.
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 170.7 miles from Midland, PA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 298.7 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 75 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.7 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
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 Midland, 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 Midland, PA
This is one driving day of about 341.3 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Midland, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 298.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 340.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.7 mi into trip|~20m in|PA 68
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 68 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Rochester
8
22.1 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
8
321.8 mi into trip|~6h 6m in|I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
8
339.9 mi into trip|~6h 32m 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
340.8 mi into trip|~6h 33m 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
$56.58 one way
$113.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$61.97
$123.94
premium
$4.93
$66.19
$132.38
diesel
$5.61
$75.35
$150.71
Estimated Tolls: $38.84
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(298.7 mi)$38.84
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
$57
Tolls
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$120–$145
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
33 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Pittsburgh, PA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Cranberry Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Cranberry Township, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger
Franklin Park, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Sheetz Pittsburgh #619
Pittsburgh, PA
eVgo Network
8 DCFC
Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger
North Huntingdon, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger
North Huntingdon, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
GetGo - Tesla Supercharger
New Stanton, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Residence Inn Cranberry Township - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.4
1
$35.84
$16.38
Efficient EV
85.3
0
$29.86
$13.65
EV Truck/SUV
136.5
1
$47.78
$21.84
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 18, 2026
Origin
Midland, PA
Night
in Midland on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Night
in Philadelphia on Saturday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
171 mi in
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
23 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 35m 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 341.3
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 223.6
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 317.8
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 117.7
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 258.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from start to finish. You will navigate primarily via Midland Avenue, Midland Beaver Road, and State Street, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you are avoiding the interstate system, the road conditions will vary as you transition between local corridors. This is not a monotonous highway grind; instead, you will experience a technical, hands-on driving experience. Prepare for a consistent rhythm of turns and local traffic as you traverse the region.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 298.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near PA 68.
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 16 significant decision points across 341.3 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 9.7 miles (PA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,233 ft45 ft
Total Climb
2,067 ft
Total Descent
2,804 ft
Highest Point
2,233 ft
~97.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,188 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Midland, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Harrisburg.
Patp: Youngstown Ohio
22.1 mi in|~38m
Harrisburg
22.1 mi in|~38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 341.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 298.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $38.84 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 9.7 miles (PA 68): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
