Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
247.3 mi
398 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
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
Waterford, PA
Jack Pace
Philadelphia to Waterford is 247.3 miles and takes about 5h 3m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Pennsylvania drive focuses heavily on highway travel, making it a straightforward journey if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. It's a single-day trip with a predictable duration and estimated fuel cost. You'll be staying within the Northeast region for the entirety of your travels, starting in Philadelphia and ending in Waterford.
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
123.6 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 181.2 mi | 3h 16m |
| Lincoln Highway | 38.4 mi | 57m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 16.8 mi | 23m |
| Waterford Laughlintown Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| Pitt Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Weber Lane | 1 mi | 3m |
| North 16th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Waterford, 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
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 220 BUS
Turn right onto Weber Lane
Turn left onto Country Ridge Road
Turn right onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Turn right onto Beechwood Road
Turn left onto Hemlock Road
Turn right onto Walnut Road
Continue on State Road
Continue on Waterford Laughlintown Road
At end of road, turn right onto PA 271
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 3m estimated drive time, departing Philadelphia in the morning should allow you to reach Waterford with plenty of daylight remaining, making this a comfortable same-day trip. The longest stretch without a break is over 181 miles, so plan for a stop or two along the Pennsylvania Turnpike to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long highway segment, as services can be spaced out. Aim to leave before peak traffic hours in the Philadelphia area to ensure a smoother start to your 247.3-mile journey.
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterford, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 247.3 miles and 5h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 123.6 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.
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
$41.00 one way
$82.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $44.90 | $89.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $47.96 | $95.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.60 | $109.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$41
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.97 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.64 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.62 | $15.83 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
12:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Waterford on Sunday
Local time
12:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
45°F
Hilltown, PA
124 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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey taking place on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Schuylkill Expressway. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 181.2 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the profile suggests a highway focus, the inclusion of the Lincoln Highway indicates you may encounter some sections that transition to more traditional, potentially slower, road travel as you get closer to Waterford. Overall, prepare for a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln 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.
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 247.3 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 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 Waterford, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Altoona, Johnstown and Bedford.
Chester
Pottstown
Harrisburg
Altoona
Johnstown
Bedford
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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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