This 317.1-mile drive from Sheffield, PA to Upper Darby, PA is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 6 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a portion on PA 948, this route is best suited for a single, focused day trip, though an early start is recommended. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $53. Given its location entirely within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, you won't be crossing state lines, and the drive offers a mixed driving experience.
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
158.5 miles from Sheffield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.4 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75.1 mi
1h 21m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
Mid-County Expressway
10.8 mi
14m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Hoovertown Road
5 mi
8m
Penfield Road
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.4 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheffield, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on this road
197 ft·7 sec·this road
Toward PA 666 West
2
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
5
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
6
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
8
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
9
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
10
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
12
Merge onto I 80
165 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 9Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, BroomallUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Providence Road
25
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 27-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Upper Darby. With one recommended stop, plan to break up the 317.1 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch is 165.4 miles, so be sure to take a break before or shortly after that point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent, and budget approximately $53 for fuel.
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 158.5 miles from Sheffield, PA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 70 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 3h 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 5h 13m
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 Sheffield, 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 Sheffield, PA
This is one driving day of about 317.1 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Sheffield, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 165.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 223.8 and 310.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allen...
6
224.7 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
5
225 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
299.8 mi into trip|~5h 57m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
310.9 mi into trip|~6h 12m 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
$50.56 one way
$101.12 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$55.95
$111.91
premium
$4.81
$60.02
$120.05
diesel
$4.80
$59.87
$119.75
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)$9.76
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
$51
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.1
1
$33.30
$15.22
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.75
$12.68
EV Truck/SUV
126.8
1
$44.39
$20.29
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Sheffield, PA
Afternoon
in Sheffield on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Smoke
NW 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upper Darby, PA
Afternoon
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
NW 5 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
6h 27m 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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 306.1
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 317.1
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 317.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your journey will involve a significant portion on highways, with 36% of the drive on them, offering periods of consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch is an impressive 165.4 miles along the Keystone Shortway, allowing for extended periods of steady travel. The drive transitions between these faster sections and roads like PA 948, creating a varied driving profile. Expect a mixed drive that balances efficient highway travel with more localized road segments.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 223.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 317.1 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 223.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 225 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,249 ft56 ft
Total Climb
3,250 ft
Total Descent
4,532 ft
Highest Point
2,249 ft
~45.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,193 ft
Notable High Points
1,747 ft at ~135.9 miles+683 ft prominence
1,706 ft at ~226.5 miles+609 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sheffield, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 317.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.76 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 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 223.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 225 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Darby, PA before the return drive.
