South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Ford City, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
303.8 mi
489 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ford City, PA
Victor Miyata
Trip Overview
Philadelphia to Ford City is 303.8 miles and takes about 5 hours 59 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traveling from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. It's a good option if you need to get from these two points efficiently without needing an overnight stop.
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
151.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 181.2 mi | 3h 16m |
| Ben Franklin Highway | 44.6 mi | 59m |
| I 99 | 27.8 mi | 29m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| William Penn Highway | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Benjamin Franklin Highway | 6 mi | 8m |
| Indiana Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| PA 66 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181.2 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical · worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Ford City, PA.
1
Start on South Penn Square
397 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
2
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 676; US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 30
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
181 mi
·
3 hr 16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
19
Merge onto I 99; US 220
28 mi
·
29 min
·
I 99; US 220
20
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
21
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
this road
22
Continue on US 22
16 mi
·
18 min
·
William Penn Highway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
450 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Use the straight lane.
25
Merge onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rowena Drive
Toward Ebensburg
26
Continue on East High Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East High Street
27
Take the exit
183 ft
·
8 sec
28
Continue on Ben Franklin Highway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Ben Franklin Highway
29
Merge onto US 422
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Benjamin Franklin Highway
30
Continue on US 422
43 mi
·
56 min
·
Ben Franklin Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 422 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Indiana Road
32
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
33
Continue on PA 66
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 66
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
35
Turn straight onto PA 128
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue
36
Turn right onto 11th Street
352 ft
·
20 sec
·
11th Street
37
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
65 ft
·
2 sec
·
4th Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 59-minute drive, consider leaving Philadelphia in the morning to arrive in Ford City by late afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps midway through your longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The estimated fuel cost is $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing and know where you can refuel along the way. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions.
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 151.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.2 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.9 miles or 2h 52m 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 Ford City, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 303.8 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Philadelphia, 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 181.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 181.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Valley Forge Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Bomansville Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
King of Prussia Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 247.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 611 / East Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
18.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
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 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
18.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
18.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
8
247.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.06 one way
$106.11 round trip
$4.44/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $58.09 | $116.19 |
| premium | $5.20 | $62.15 | $124.29 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $75.06 | $150.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $23.56
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181.2 mi)
$23.56
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
$53
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.90 | $14.58 |
| Efficient EV | 76 | 0 | $26.58 | $12.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.5 | 1 | $42.53 | $19.44 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Morning in Philadelphia on Friday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Ford City, PA
Morning in Ford City on Friday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
N 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
63°F
State Line, PA
152 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
1 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 59m 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
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
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 21
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 125.7
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 251.5
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 83.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 75% of the 303.8 miles on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. You'll experience a long stretch of 181.2 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to other highways. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with exits spaced out as you move away from urban areas.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.2 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Ben Franklin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 303.8 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,295 ft
45 ft
Total Climb
2,444 ft
Total Descent
1,697 ft
Highest Point
2,295 ft
~238.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,251 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Ford City, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Altoona, Johnstown and Hollidaysburg - among others.
Chester
18.4 mi in
|
~26m
Pottstown
18.4 mi in
|
~26m
Harrisburg
19 mi in
|
~27m
Altoona
201.2 mi in
|
~3h 46m
Johnstown
201.2 mi in
|
~3h 46m
Hollidaysburg
230.1 mi in
|
~4h 18m
Ebensburg
247.6 mi in
|
~4h 39m
Loretto
247.6 mi in
|
~4h 39m
About the Cities
Starting in Philadelphia, PA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- • Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- • Philadelphia City Hall — historic building housing Philadelphia's municipal government
Arriving in Ford City, PA
Full guide →Founded 1887
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 59m. Total distance: 303.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.56 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Ford City, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ford City, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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