Philadelphia, PA to Hemlock, PA is 332.3 miles and takes about 6h 56m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and US 219, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making for a varied experience. With a single recommended day, this route is manageable for a day trip if you get an early start.
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
166.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.5 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi
1h 21m
US 219
12.3 mi
18m
Schuylkill Expressway
12.1 mi
17m
Montmorenci Road
8.8 mi
13m
PA 948
8.6 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,067 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,528
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Hemlock, 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 ForgeUse 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 331BToward I 476 North: Plymouth MeetingUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
15
Merge onto I 80
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
18
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
19
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
20
Continue on PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 219
12 mi·18 min·US 219
22
Turn right onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·Montmorenci Avenue
23
Continue on PA 948
8.8 mi·13 min·Montmorenci Road
24
Continue on PA 948
5.4 mi·7 min·Highland Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.7 mi·3 min·Kane-Russell City Road
26
Take the exit onto PA 948
8.6 mi·12 min·PA 948
27
Continue on PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·PA 666
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
29
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
30
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
31
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
32
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·36 sec·Main Street
33
Turn right onto US 6 Business
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue East
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto Hemlock Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Hemlock Street
35
Continue on Hemlock Road
3.5 mi·13 min·Hemlock Road
36
Turn right
99 ft·4 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To complete this 6h 56m drive in one day, aim for a departure from Philadelphia shortly after sunrise. The route's longest stretch is 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your first major stop around the midpoint of that segment to refuel and stretch. With a fuel cost estimate of $56, it's wise to top off your tank before leaving Philadelphia. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be aware that the transition from highway to surface roads may impact your overall travel time.
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 166.1 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.5 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 73 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.1 miles or 3h 8m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hemlock, 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 332.3 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 Keystone Shortway for about 165.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 328.3 — 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...
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
93.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
6
328.3 mi into trip|~6h 41m in|US 6 Business / Pennsylvania Avenue East
Turn right onto US 6 Business / Pennsylvania Avenue East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.03 one way
$116.07 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$63.54
$127.09
premium
$5.20
$67.98
$135.96
diesel
$6.28
$82.11
$164.21
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)$9.75
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
$58
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.7
1
$34.89
$15.95
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.08
$13.29
EV Truck/SUV
132.9
1
$46.52
$21.27
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Evening
in Philadelphia on Saturday
Local time
8:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
Hemlock, PA
Evening
in Hemlock on Saturday
Local time
8:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
28 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 56m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 22.9
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 35% of this 332.3-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, indicating significant rural cruising. Expect the highway portion to conclude, transitioning to surface roads, which might mean more local traffic and varying speed limits. This route offers a blend of efficient highway travel and more intimate, potentially slower, surface road navigation.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 332.3 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 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 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,170 ft45 ft
Total Climb
3,588 ft
Total Descent
2,424 ft
Highest Point
2,170 ft
~284.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,126 ft
Notable High Points
1,443 ft at ~94.9 miles+545 ft prominence
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 Hemlock, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Penfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 332.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.75 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 24 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 Hemlock, 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 24 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hemlock, PA before the return drive.
