Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Morning in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Forest City, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
148.1 mi
238 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Forest City, PA
Nino Souza
Trip Overview
Philadelphia to Forest City is 148.1 miles and takes about 2h 59m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive focuses heavily on highway travel, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Pennsylvania's Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained turnpikes and expressways, which is ideal if your priority is reaching your destination efficiently. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is best suited for travelers looking for a quick transit rather than an extended exploration.
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
74.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 94.9 mi | 1h 44m |
| Governor Robert P. Casey Highway | 15.4 mi | 18m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| I 81 | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| North Main Street | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Forest 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
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 476
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
10
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
11
Continue on I 476; PATP
95 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
14
Merge onto PA 315
523 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chestnut Street
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
16
Merge onto I 81
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 81
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I-84 east, US 6 east
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 6 East: Carbondale
20
Continue on US 6
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto US 6 BUS
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Canaan Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Canaan Street
23
Turn left onto Morse Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Morse Avenue
24
Continue on Reservoir Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Reservoir Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto PA 171
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
North Main Street
26
Turn left onto PA 247
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
Dundaff Street
27
Arrive at destination
PA 247
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 59m duration, you can comfortably leave Philadelphia in the morning and arrive in Forest City the same day. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 94.9 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on this segment. While the drive is under 3 hours, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for toll plazas on the turnpike, as these are a key feature of this highway-centric route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.1 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest 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 148.1 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 Northeast Extension for about 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.1 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 Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 141.3 — 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.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Ai...
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Merge onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
141.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 6 BUS / Roosevelt Highway
Turn left onto US 6 BUS / Roosevelt Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.55 one way
$49.11 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $26.89 | $53.78 |
| premium | $4.93 | $28.72 | $57.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.70 | $65.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(94.9 mi)
$12.34
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
$25
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.55 | $7.11 |
| Efficient EV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.73 | $9.48 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Forest City, PA
Morning in Forest City on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°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
9 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
2h 59m on the road
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 15.3
View on nps.gov
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 15.3
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 highway-focused drive for 82% of this trip. The majority of your journey will be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including a substantial 94.9-mile stretch without a break from major highway travel. You'll also navigate portions of the Schuylkill Expressway and the Governor Robert P. Casey Highway, all of which are designed for speed and direct transit. This profile suggests a consistent driving experience with limited deviations into local roads, making it a predictable and efficient route.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Governor Robert P. Casey 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 21 significant decision points across 148.1 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Philadelphia, PA to Forest City, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Scranton along the way.
Scranton
113 mi in
|
~2h 11m
About the Cities
Starting 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 2h 59m. Total distance: 148.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.34 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.
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 Forest 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forest City, PA before heading back.
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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