Philadelphia to Meadowood is 326.5 miles and takes about 6h 17m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Given that it's mostly highway driving, you can expect a fairly direct trip. Planning for a single day is realistic, but be mindful of the 6+ hour drive time. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss.
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
163.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
288.1 mi
5h 13m
Schuylkill Expressway
16.8 mi
23m
Pittsburgh Road
10.2 mi
16m
William Flinn Highway
4.3 mi
7m
Old Plank Road
1.8 mi
4m
Vine Street Expressway
1 mi
1m
Vogel Road
1 mi
2m
North 16th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 288.1 mi, about 5h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Meadowood, 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
16 mi·22 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, PottstownUse 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 RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward Mall BoulevardUse 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: HarrisburgUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 76; PATP
288 mi·5 hr 13 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·53 sec
Exit 39Toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, ButlerUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
498 ft·11 sec
Toward PA 8 North: ButlerUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto PA 8
4.3 mi·7 min·William Flinn Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on PA 8
10 mi·16 min·Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto Vogel Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Vogel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Vogel Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Vogel Road
21
Turn left onto Old Plank Road
1.8 mi·4 min·Old Plank Road
22
Turn right onto West McQuiston Road
0.3 mi·42 sec·West McQuiston Road
23
Continue on East Mc Quistion Road
0.2 mi·28 sec·East Mc Quistion Road
24
Turn right onto White Oak Drive
126 ft·5 sec·White Oak Drive
25
Keep slight right at fork onto White Oak Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·White Oak Drive
26
Turn right onto Thornwood Road
489 ft·28 sec·Thornwood Road
27
Turn left onto Oakridge Drive
0.1 mi·28 sec·Oakridge Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Oakridge Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Philadelphia early in the morning to avoid peak city traffic and maximize daylight. The route's extensive highway section means you can cover a lot of ground quickly, so plan for one main stop around the halfway point or closer to the 288-mile mark to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long highway stretches, as services can sometimes be spaced out. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, budgeting for gas should be straightforward for this single-day trip.
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 163.3 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 288.1 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 72 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meadowood, 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 326.5 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 288.1 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.4 and 308.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
308.1 mi into trip|~5h 43m in
Take the exit toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, Butler
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 39
Toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, Butler
8
308.3 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 8 North: Butler
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 8 North: Butler
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.06 one way
$104.12 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$57.61
$115.23
premium
$4.81
$61.80
$123.61
diesel
$4.80
$61.65
$123.30
Estimated Tolls: $37.46
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(288.1 mi)$37.46
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
$52
Tolls
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98
1
$34.28
$15.67
Efficient EV
81.6
0
$28.57
$13.06
EV Truck/SUV
130.6
1
$45.71
$20.90
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Afternoon
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Meadowood, PA
Afternoon
in Meadowood on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
163 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
2 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
6h 17m 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...
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 123.9
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 225.2
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 78.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 94% of this 326.5-mile drive, which translates to roughly 306 miles of high-speed travel. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is a significant 288.1 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect to encounter numerous exits and merges during this extensive highway portion. Surface roads will likely make up the final 20 miles or so as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 288.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 326.5 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 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; at 18.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,353 ft45 ft
Total Climb
3,005 ft
Total Descent
1,733 ft
Highest Point
2,353 ft
~233.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,309 ft
Notable High Points
2,353 ft at ~233.2 miles+580 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 Meadowood, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Butler.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 326.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 288.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $37.46 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 21 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 Meadowood, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 18.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Meadowood, PA before the return drive.
