Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
93.7 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Palmdale, PA
Haneul Trac
This 93.7-mile journey from Philadelphia to Palmdale, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $16, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a predominantly highway-focused experience. You'll spend most of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with shorter sections on the Schuylkill Expressway and Horseshoe Pike. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. The drive stays within the Northeast region, keeping you within familiar territory.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 59.7 mi | 1h 3m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| Horseshoe Pike | 7.7 mi | 12m |
| Lebanon Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Lingle Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Chocolate Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Palmdale, PA.
Start on South Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Turn right onto North 16th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 676; US 30
Merge onto I 76; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto PA 72
Turn straight onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto Palmyra Road
Turn slight left onto Lingle Avenue
Turn left onto US 422
Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this relatively short 1.5-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving Philadelphia earlier in the morning can help you avoid some of the typical commuter traffic. Since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 60 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan for a potential fuel stop before you begin or be mindful of your fuel gauge. While there are no designated stops mentioned, remember that rest areas are available along the Pennsylvania Turnpike if needed. The $16 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current gas prices.
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.
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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmdale, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 93.7 miles and 1h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 46.8 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 19 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$15.53 one way
$31.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.01 | $34.03 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.17 | $36.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.69 | $41.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.76
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
$16
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.20 | $3.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.12 | $6.00 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Palmdale on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a drive dominated by highway travel, as 83% of this route is on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a substantial stretch of 59.7 miles, offering a consistent driving pace. While the Schuylkill Expressway and Horseshoe Pike contribute to the overall journey, the majority of your time will be spent on these main arteries. This highway-focused profile means you'll experience a relatively smooth and direct passage, minimizing the need for navigating complex local roads. The character of the drive is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways.
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 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.7 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Palmdale, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Manheim and Hershey.
Chester
Pottstown
Harrisburg
Manheim
Hershey
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 93.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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