Origin
Steelton, PA
Afternoon in Steelton on Sunday
Local time
12:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Steelton, 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
2h 9m
Distance
101.2 mi
163 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Steelton, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Steelton to Upper Darby is 101.2 miles and takes about 2 hours 9 minutes via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region and within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward drive. Its highway-focused profile suggests a quick journey, ideal for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on major interstates, so expect efficient travel. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.6 miles from Steelton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 78.4 mi | 1h 24m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| I 76 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| North Front Street | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Eisenhower Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Providence Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Steelton, PA and Upper Darby, PA.
1
Start on PA 230
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Front Street
2
Continue on PA 230
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn left onto Eisenhower Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Eisenhower Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
4
Turn slight right
209 ft
·
7 sec
Toward PA 283 East, I 76 Toll
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 76 Toll
6
Merge onto I 283
406 ft
·
1 min
·
I 283
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
Merge onto I 76; PATP
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331A
Toward I 476 South: Chester
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 476
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 9
Toward PA 3: Upper Darby, Broomall
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto PA 3
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto Darby Road
471 ft
·
13 sec
·
Darby Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto West Providence Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Providence Road
17
Arrive at destination
West Providence Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 9 minutes, this trip is best suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon congestion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, you won't need to worry extensively about refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. There are no recommended stops, so you can maintain momentum, but plan for rest breaks as needed, especially during the 78.4-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 50.6 miles from Steelton, PA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 35m
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 Steelton, 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 Steelton, PA
This is one driving day of about 101.2 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Steelton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Steelton, 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 78.4 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 95 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Eisenhower Boulevard
Turn left onto Eisenhower Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 Toll
8
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m 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
95 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m 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
$16.78 one way
$33.56 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $18.38 | $36.75 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.63 | $39.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.34 | $44.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.20
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.4 mi)
$10.20
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
$17
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.63 | $4.86 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
12:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live 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
5 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
2h 9m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 80.2
View on nps.gov
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$1
near mile 101.1
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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 101.1
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 24.4
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 94.2
View on nps.gov
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 89% of the journey on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-76. You'll experience a predominantly highway-focused drive, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 78.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This means you can expect consistent speeds and minimal traffic lights for significant portions of the trip. The road character remains largely the same, emphasizing efficient travel on well-maintained expressways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near Eisenhower Boulevard.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 101.2 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 3.1 miles (Eisenhower Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 82.9 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.
Between Steelton, PA and Upper Darby, PA, road signs point toward Philadelphia and Broomall.
Philadelphia
82.9 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via I 76
Broomall
95 mi in
|
~1h 53m
About the Cities
Arriving in Upper Darby, PA
Full guide →Upper Darby is a city in Pennsylvania.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 101.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.20 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (Eisenhower Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 82.9 miles (I 76): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (6 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 Upper Darby, PA 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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