Origin
Smyrna, DE
Night in Smyrna on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smyrna, DE to Wilmington, DE
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
37.8 mi
61 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smyrna, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Wilmington, DE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Smyrna to Wilmington is 37.8 miles and takes about 48 minutes via Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, Wilmington Expressway, and Delaware Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, one-day trip within Delaware, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given its short duration and local focus, it’s best suited for a quick transition or a day trip rather than an extended adventure. You'll primarily navigate major roadways, so expect consistent travel speeds for most of the journey.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 26 mi | 30m |
| Wilmington Expressway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Delaware Turnpike | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Parkway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Dupont Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| West 11th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Dupont Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Commerce Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 26 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, DE and Wilmington, DE.
1
Start on East South Street
44 ft
·
5 sec
·
East South Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto DE 6
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Commerce Street
4
Turn left onto US 13
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dupont Boulevard
5
Continue on US 13
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Dupont Parkway
6
Continue on US 13
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Dupont Highway
7
Continue on US 13
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dupont Parkway
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward DE 1 Toll North: Wilmington
9
Merge onto DE 1 Toll
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto DE 1 Toll
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 165B
Toward I 95 North: Wilmington, Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 95
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Delaware Turnpike
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilmington Expressway
Toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 202
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Wilmington Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 7
Toward DE 52: Delaware Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn slight left onto North Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Adams Street
18
Turn right onto West 11th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 11th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 13 Business
86 ft
·
2 sec
·
North King Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 13 Business
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Smyrna, DE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 36.8 — 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
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
24.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward DE 1 North: Wilmington, Baltimore
8
29.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Wilmington, 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 165B
Toward I 95 North: Wilmington, Philadelphia
6
32.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 95 / Wilmington Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Wilmington Expressway toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, I 495: Wilmington, Philadelphia
7
36.8 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward DE 52: Delaware Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward DE 52: Delaware Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.27 one way
$12.53 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.86 | $13.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.35 | $16.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Delaware Turnpike
(1.8 mi)
$0.12
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.97 | $1.81 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.31 | $1.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.29 | $2.42 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Wilmington, DE
Night in Wilmington on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
48m 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?
This route is characterized by its numerous turns and transitions, leaning heavily on local road driving. While 21% of the drive utilizes highways, you'll spend more time on surface streets, especially as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26 miles along the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a dynamic driving experience with frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you navigate through various local traffic patterns.
Only 21% 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: 26 mi on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 37.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.1 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles: 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.
Between Smyrna, DE and Wilmington, DE, road signs point toward Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Baltimore
24.1 mi in
|
~29m
|
via DE 1
Philadelphia
29.3 mi in
|
~36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 37.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26 miles on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Delaware 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.
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 Wilmington, 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.1 miles (DE 1 / Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Wilmington, DE before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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