South Temple to Philadelphia is 68.3 miles and takes about 1h 31m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, mostly highway trip connecting two points within Pennsylvania's Northeast region. You'll find it to be a convenient option for a quick drive, with minimal time commitment. The route offers a direct path with limited complexity, making it ideal for those seeking efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.1 miles from South Temple, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
27.5 mi
29m
I 76
18 mi
26m
Morgantown Expressway
11.4 mi
12m
North 5th Street Highway
3.4 mi
5m
West Shore Bypass
2 mi
2m
Frush Valley Road
1.3 mi
5m
Vine Street Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
North 4th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 27.5 mi, about 29m
Traffic on I-176
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~921 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~48 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 27 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 South Temple, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on Georgia Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Georgia Road
2
Turn left onto Frush Valley Road
1.3 mi·5 min·Frush Valley Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Kutztown Road
0.3 mi·38 sec·Kutztown Road
4
Turn right onto Bellevue Avenue
0.4 mi·47 sec·Bellevue Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
3.4 mi·5 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Washington Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222 BUS
273 ft·4 sec·South 4th Street
9
Continue on US 222 Business
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bingaman Street
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
11
Merge onto US 422
2.0 mi·2 min·West Shore Bypass
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 176 South: MorgantownUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 176
11 mi·12 min·Morgantown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 76 Toll East: PhiladelphiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
27 mi·29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 76
18 mi·26 min·I 76
Exit 326Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
22
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
23
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 31 minutes, this drive offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, perhaps aiming to miss peak rush hour traffic into Philadelphia. With only 68.3 miles, there are no essential long stretches that necessitate a stop, but you'll find plenty of service areas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel as you get closer to the city; the estimated $11 fuel cost is based on the total mileage.
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 34.1 miles from South Temple, PA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 15 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.1 miles or 47m 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 16m
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 South Temple, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Temple, PA
This is one driving day of about 68.3 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from South Temple, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 27.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 67.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~13m in|US 422 Business / Washington Street
Turn right onto US 422 Business / Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
20.9 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
8
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
$11.14 one way
$22.29 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$12.25
$24.51
premium
$4.86
$13.08
$26.15
diesel
$5.40
$14.53
$29.06
Estimated Tolls: $3.57
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(27.5 mi)$3.57
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
$11
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.5
0
$7.17
$3.28
Efficient EV
17.1
0
$5.98
$2.73
EV Truck/SUV
27.3
0
$9.56
$4.37
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 26, 2026
Origin
South Temple, PA
Afternoon
in South Temple on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Afternoon
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Rain
E 10 to 15 mph96% 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
19 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
1h 31m 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.
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...
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...
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 37.7
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 2.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 68.3 miles on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-76, and the Morgantown Expressway. You'll experience a long stretch of 27.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering consistent cruising. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach Philadelphia, transitioning to more local surface streets.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 5.8 miles in near US 422 Business / Washington Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.3 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 5.8 miles (US 422 Business / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 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.
On the drive from South Temple, PA to Philadelphia, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Morgantown along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 68.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.57 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 3 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.
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: at 5.8 miles (US 422 Business / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.8 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 (5 total within detour distance). 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 Philadelphia, PA before heading back.
