Smith, PA to Philadelphia, PA is 261.2 miles and takes about 5h 20m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect to spend most of your time on major interstates, so plan for typical highway conditions. It's a solid choice if you need to get from western PA to the Philadelphia area efficiently.
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
130.6 miles from Smith, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi
3h 16m
I 76
18 mi
26m
Quaker Valley Road
14.2 mi
20m
William Penn Highway
11.8 mi
16m
Clear Shade Drive
10.5 mi
14m
Cramer Pike
7.9 mi
13m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
I 99
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 181 mi, about 3h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on Cornell Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Cornell Road
2
Turn right onto Corporate Campus Drive
0.2 mi·37 sec·Corporate Campus Drive
3
Turn left onto US 22; US 119
12 mi·16 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
5
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi·13 min·Cramer Pike
6
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi·2 min·Cooper Avenue
7
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Iron Street
8
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·4th Avenue
9
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broad Street
10
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
11
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
2.1 mi·3 min·Johns Street
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
13
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Bedford Street
14
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
16
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
17
Continue on PA 56
11 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
18
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
20
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
22
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
23
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
26
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
181 mi·3 hr 16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
33
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
34
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid traffic, especially as you approach Philadelphia. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $43, you can comfortably complete this in a single day. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be your main thoroughfare for the bulk of the trip, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering longer stretches. Consider a quick break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and stay alert for the remaining miles.
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 130.6 miles from Smith, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181 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 57 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smith, 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 Smith, PA
This is one driving day of about 261.2 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Smith, 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 181 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 23 and 260.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
8
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
8
259.7 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
260.7 mi into trip|~5h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.62 one way
$91.23 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$49.95
$99.89
premium
$5.20
$53.43
$106.87
diesel
$6.28
$64.54
$129.08
Estimated Tolls: $23.54
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(181 mi)$23.54
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
$46
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
EV Truck/SUV
104.5
1
$36.57
$16.72
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Smith, PA
Morning
in Smith on Thursday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Thursday
Local time
6:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
63°F
State Line, PA
131 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 20m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 261.2
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 243.2
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 144.1
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 77% of this 261.2-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch of highway is 181 miles, mostly on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76. This means you'll experience extended periods of cruising before encountering surface roads. Expect a relatively high number of exits for much of the drive as you traverse the state.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 76. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in near PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 261.2 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 23 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 60.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,261 ft45 ft
Total Climb
1,436 ft
Total Descent
2,471 ft
Highest Point
2,261 ft
~37.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,216 ft
Notable High Points
2,261 ft at ~37.3 miles+1,041 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smith, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 261.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $23.54 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 18 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 Philadelphia, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles (PA 56; PA 403 / Broad Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 60.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, PA before the return drive.
