Origin
Tamaqua, PA
Afternoon in Tamaqua on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tamaqua, PA to Philadelphia, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
86.6 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tamaqua, PA
Haneul Trac
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tamaqua to Philadelphia is 86.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 54 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Pennsylvania, beginning in the Northeast region and heading towards the Philadelphia area. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. Given its short duration, it’s easily manageable as a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Tamaqua, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 37.4 mi | 40m |
| West Penn Pike | 17.5 mi | 24m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| PA 100 | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Tilghman Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Center Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 37.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tamaqua, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
1
Start on PA 309
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
2
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
489 ft
·
20 sec
·
Pine Street
3
Turn right onto US 209
338 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Broad Street
4
Turn left onto PA 309
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Street
5
Continue on PA 309
17 mi
·
24 min
·
West Penn Pike
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto PA 100
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 100
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto Tilghman Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tilghman Street
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward US 22 East: Allentown
9
Merge onto US 22
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 476; PATP
37 mi
·
39 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
15
Continue on I 476
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 76
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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 Philadelphia
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
24
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Penn Square
25
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1 hour 54 minute drive, consider leaving Tamaqua mid-morning to avoid potential early commuter traffic into Philadelphia. Since the route is under two hours and has no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $14, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a toll road, so be prepared for that if you haven't driven it before.
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 43.3 miles from Tamaqua, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 19 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 1h 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 Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tamaqua, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tamaqua, PA
This is one driving day of about 86.6 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Tamaqua, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 37.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Tamaqua, PA, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 30.2 and 86.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
30.2 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
8
71.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m 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
$14.13 one way
$28.26 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $15.54 | $31.07 |
| premium | $4.86 | $16.58 | $33.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.4 mi)
$4.87
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
$14
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.09 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.12 | $5.54 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Afternoon in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
1h 54m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 72% of the 86.6 miles on major roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 37.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. After the highway portion, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip into Philadelphia. The frequent exits on the highway segments suggest a busy corridor with many potential points of entry and exit.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and West Penn Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Tamaqua, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Scranton and Valley Forge.
Patp
30.2 mi in
|
~45m
Scranton
30.2 mi in
|
~45m
Valley Forge
71.9 mi in
|
~1h 32m
About the Cities
Arriving in Philadelphia, PA
Full guide →“City of Brotherly Love” · Founded 1682
Top landmarks
- • Independence Hall — historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- • Liberty Bell — bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA that serves as a symbol of American inde...
- • Philadelphia Museum of Art — art museum in Philadelphia, 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 1h 54m. Total distance: 86.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.87 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 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 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Philadelphia, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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