Pike Creek Valley to Lewes is 87.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and Coastal Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Delaware, connecting the northern part of the state to the popular beach towns in the south. Since it's a single-day drive and doesn't involve highways, you'll be on surface roads for most of the way. It's a straightforward route, ideal if you're looking for a simple point-to-point drive without much complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Pike Creek Valley, DE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
43.4 mi
50m
Coastal Highway
17.9 mi
24m
Bay Road
14.7 mi
19m
Limestone Road
3.3 mi
6m
Savannah Road
2.7 mi
6m
Milford Bypass
2.1 mi
2m
Stanton Christiana Road
1.9 mi
2m
Skyline Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 43.4 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pike Creek Valley, DE and Lewes, DE.
1
Start on this road
37 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right
334 ft·26 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto Foxcroft Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·Foxcroft Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto Skyline Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Skyline Drive
5
Turn right onto DE 7
3.2 mi·5 min·Limestone Road
6
Continue on DE 7
348 ft·8 sec·Limestone Road
7
Continue on DE 7; DE 4
0.4 mi·34 sec·Main Street
8
Continue on DE 7; DE 4
1.9 mi·2 min·Stanton Christiana Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on DE 1; DE 7
11 mi·12 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
0.3 mi·19 sec·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
28 mi·32 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
3.0 mi·3 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
14
Continue on DE 1
15 mi·19 min·Bay Road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1
2.1 mi·2 min·Milford Bypass
Toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach
16
Continue on DE 1
18 mi·24 min·Coastal Highway
17
Keep left at fork onto US 9 BUS
459 ft·6 sec·Savannah Road
18
Continue on US 9 BUS
2.6 mi·6 min·Savannah Road
19
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
92 ft·4 sec·West 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. There's no need to rush, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush hour and arrive in Lewes with plenty of afternoon daylight. With 0% highway share, you'll want to be mindful of local traffic and speed limits throughout the 87.2-mile journey. The estimated fuel cost of $15 suggests you won't need to worry about finding many gas stations, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Pike Creek Valley.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.6 miles from Pike Creek Valley, DE, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 55m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewes, DE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pike Creek Valley, DE so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pike Creek Valley, DE
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Pike Creek Valley, DE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 43.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 64.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Foxcroft Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Foxcroft Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Skyline Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Skyline Drive
Navigation decision point
6
17.2 mi into trip|~25m in|DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|DE 1 / Milford Bypass
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 / Milford Bypass toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward DE 1 South: Lewes, Rehoboth Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.23 one way
$30.46 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$16.67
$33.35
premium
$5.20
$17.84
$35.68
diesel
$6.28
$21.55
$43.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Pike Creek Valley, DE
Late night
in Pike Creek Valley on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lewes, DE
Late night
in Lewes on Sunday
Local time
1:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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
1h 56m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 3
Caution: Safety Alert Hazardous Trees in the Brandywine Valley
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with 0% highway time. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 43.4 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, which is a good indication of the type of road you'll be on for a while. Expect to navigate through towns and local areas, as the profile is mostly surface roads. The lack of highway driving means you'll likely experience more frequent intersections and varying speed limits.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Foxcroft Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (Skyline Drive): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
240 ft11 ft
Total Climb
91 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
240 ft
Elevation Range
229 ft
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 Pike Creek Valley, DE to Lewes, DE, road signs begin pointing toward Rehoboth Beach along the way.
Lewes is a city in Delaware along the Delaware Bay in Sussex County near the Atlantic Ocean. It offers the visitor several beaches and historical sites.
Top landmarks
•United States lightship Overfalls — lightship
•Zwaanendael Museum — Delaware museum dedicated to European settlement
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Lewes, DE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Foxcroft Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (Skyline Drive): Navigation decision point.
Yes — First State National Historical Park. 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 Lewes, DE before heading back.
