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Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Hershey, 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 4m

Distance

94 mi

151 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Unincorporated community in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States

Hershey, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 94-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA to Hershey, PA is a straightforward, single-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes. With a modest fuel cost of around $16, this route is designed for convenience and is a perfect candidate for a day trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, so expect a more hands-on driving experience rather than an interstate cruise. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel through Pennsylvania. It's a manageable distance that allows for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47 miles from Upper Darby, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 59.7 mi 1h 3m
Horseshoe Pike 8.5 mi 13m
Mid-County Expressway 7 mi 9m
Schuylkill Expressway 4.2 mi 5m
South Lansdowne Avenue 3 mi 8m
Lebanon Road 2.5 mi 3m
West Chester Pike 2.2 mi 4m
East Governor Road 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 59.7 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Hershey, PA.

1

Start on West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 46 sec · West Providence Road
2

Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · South Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3

Continue on Darby Road

471 ft · 13 sec · Darby Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4

Turn slight left onto PA 3

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 476

7.0 mi · 9 min · Mid-County Expressway
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 16B Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 76

3.7 mi · 5 min · Schuylkill Expressway
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327 Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13

Merge onto I 76

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 76

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg Use the slight left lane.
15

Merge onto I 76; PATP

60 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward PA 72: Lebanon, Manheim Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · this road
18

Keep slight left at fork

147 ft · 10 sec
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
19

Turn left onto PA 72

2.5 mi · 3 min · Lebanon Road
20

Turn straight onto US 322

7.7 mi · 12 min · Horseshoe Pike
Toward US 322 West: Harrisburg, Hershey
21

Continue on US 322

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
22

Continue on US 322

0.8 mi · 1 min · Horseshoe Pike
23

Continue on US 322

1.3 mi · 1 min · East Governor Road
24

Enter roundabout onto US 322

93 ft · 1 sec · East Governor Road
25

Continue on US 322

0.4 mi · 37 sec · East Governor Road
26

Enter roundabout onto Homestead Lane

22 ft · 0 sec · Homestead Lane
27

Continue on Homestead Lane

0.6 mi · 1 min · Homestead Lane
28

Turn left onto Meadow Lane

106 ft · 4 sec · Meadow Lane
29

Turn right onto Homestead Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Homestead Road
30

Turn left onto US 422

0.3 mi · 57 sec · East Chocolate Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Turn right onto PA 743

233 ft · 9 sec · Park Avenue
Use the right lane.
32

Turn right

359 ft · 29 sec
33

Turn right

337 ft · 24 sec
34

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration and local road profile, leaving mid-morning is ideal to avoid early commuter traffic while still arriving with plenty of daylight. Since this is a shorter, turn-heavy drive, plan for frequent, brief stops to stretch your legs and stay alert, rather than one long break. The estimated fuel cost of $16 makes it an economical trip, so ensuring your tank is full before you leave Upper Darby is a good idea. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to posted speed limits as you transition through various local areas.

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 47 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.7 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 21 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47 miles or 1h 3m 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 Hershey, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, PA

This is one driving day of about 94 miles and 2h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Upper Darby, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 59.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county town of Warwickshire, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warwick, PA

47 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

Radnor, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warwick, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47 miles from Upper Darby, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tasty Zaytoon Lebanese Market and Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exton, Pennsylvania

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 33.6

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14848733198

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3 mi

Tasty Zaytoon Lebanese Market and Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 33.6

Exton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14848733198

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Amsale Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12153974420

Visit website

Pomod'oro Pizza and Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 33.6

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16108730405

Visit website

Lione's Pizza Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.6

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+16108732500

Visit website

Hong Kong Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.9

West Chester, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16106962597

Visit website

The Escape Game King Of Prussia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 20.1

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+16106248058

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - King of Prussia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 20.1

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+16105954359

Visit website

Heuser Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.1

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16102651071

Visit website

Arnold's Family Fun Center

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 20.1

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–9 pm

+16106660600

Visit website

Wharton Esherick Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 20.1

Malvern, Pennsylvania

+16106445822

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 94

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

Elmwood Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 13.4

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16102773825

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 13 and 17.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
13 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 76 West: Valley Forge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 16B Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
8
17.2 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown

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 328B-A/327 Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
17.3 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
17.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Mall Boulevard
7
17.8 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.58 one way

$31.17 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $17.07 $34.14
premium $4.93 $18.23 $36.46
diesel $5.61 $20.75 $41.51

Estimated Tolls: $7.76

Pennsylvania Turnpike (59.7 mi) $7.76

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

$16

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.2 0 $9.87 $4.51
Efficient EV 23.5 0 $8.23 $3.76
EV Truck/SUV 37.6 0 $13.16 $6.02

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 18, 2026

Origin

Upper Darby, PA

Afternoon in Upper Darby on Sunday

Local time

12:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hershey, PA

Afternoon in Hershey on Sunday

Local time

12:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°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

6 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

2h 4m 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?

Prepare for a "turn-heavy local drive" on this 94-mile route, with zero highway share. You'll be spending your time on roads like South Lansdowne Avenue, Darby Road, and West Chester Pike. This means you'll be actively engaged with the steering wheel, navigating numerous turns and intersections. Since there are no long highway stretches, the entire journey will feel like a continuous local exploration, offering a consistent pace from start to finish. The road's personality remains consistent, focusing on local connections rather than high-speed travel.

76% 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: 59.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Horseshoe Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 25 significant decision points across 94 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 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Upper Darby, PA and Hershey, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg and Manheim.

Chester

17.2 mi in | ~30m

Pottstown

17.2 mi in | ~30m

Harrisburg

17.8 mi in | ~31m

Manheim

78.4 mi in | ~1h 37m

About the Cities

Starting in Upper Darby, PA

Full guide →

Upper Darby is a city in Pennsylvania.

Arriving in Hershey, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1903

Hershey is an unincorporated village in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. It has a rich history and cultural significance being the birthplace of Hershey's Chocolate. One of the village's most well known attractions is Hersheypark, a theme park that provides fun for the family.

Top landmarks

  • • Hersheypark — theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
  • • Fahrenheit — steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
  • • Lightning Racer — amusement ride

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 4m. Total distance: 94 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $7.76 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 Hershey, 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 13 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hershey, 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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