Origin
Salem, PA
Morning in Salem on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, PA to Upper Darby, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
158.1 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
This 158.1-mile journey from Salem, PA to Upper Darby, PA is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the drive on major roads, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Mid-County Expressway. You can expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this trip. Given its manageable length and highway-centric nature, it’s an efficient drive that doesn’t require an overnight stop. The drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transit through Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79 miles from Salem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 124.5 mi | 2h 13m |
| Cumberland Highway | 11 mi | 16m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Trout Run | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Coffey Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 124.5 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on Salem Road
132 ft
·
8 sec
·
Salem Road
2
Turn right onto Letterkenny Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Letterkenny Road
3
Continue on Coffey Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Coffey Avenue
4
Turn left onto PA 997
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Cumberland Highway
5
At end of road, turn right onto PA 641; PA 997
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Newburg Road
6
Turn left onto PA 997
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Cumberland Highway
7
Continue on PA 997
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Trout Run
8
Continue on PA 997
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Highway
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 76; PATP
124 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 76
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 76
Exit 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
20
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 11-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is advisable to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach Upper Darby, PA. With 158.1 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimated at $26, planning one stop for fuel or a break should be sufficient. The longest stretch without a break is over 124 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so be mindful of this when you plan your stop. Considering the highway-focused profile, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as service areas can be spaced out on the Turnpike.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79 miles from Salem, PA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.5 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Darby, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, PA
This is one driving day of about 158.1 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Salem, 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 124.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79 miles from Salem, 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 124.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 15.1 and 151.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
5
15.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge onto I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
139.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
I 76
Take the exit onto I 76 toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
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 326
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
7
144.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 476 South: Chester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
8
151.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
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 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.21 one way
$52.42 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.71 | $57.41 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.66 | $61.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.91 | $69.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.18
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(124.5 mi)
$16.18
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
$26
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.60 | $7.59 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.83 | $6.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.13 | $10.12 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Morning in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
South Lebanon, PA
79 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
16 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
3h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The Pennsylvania Turnpike forms a significant portion of your journey, featuring the longest uninterrupted stretch of 124.5 miles. While the drive is predominantly on high-speed roads like the Turnpike and the Mid-County Expressway, you'll also encounter segments on Cumberland Highway, offering a bit of variety before reaching your destination. The character is generally one of efficient travel, minimizing slower, more technical driving.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Cumberland Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 158.1 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 15.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.4 miles (I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Salem, PA to Upper Darby, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Philadelphia along the way.
Philadelphia
139.8 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via I 76
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 158.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.18 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Upper Darby, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15.4 miles (I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.8 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Upper Darby, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Upper Darby, PA
More from Salem, PA
More trips to Upper Darby, PA
Explore more options from Salem, PA or browse trips ending in Upper Darby, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.