Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Late night in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Howard, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
211.6 mi
341 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 211.6-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA, to Howard, PA, will take approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to comfortably reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive primarily utilizes major roadways, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Keystone Shortway, promising a fairly direct path. The majority of your travel will be within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward and efficient transit. Consider this a practical option for a one-day excursion, balancing travel time with an accessible fuel budget.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 112.9 mi | 2h 3m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75 mi | 1h 21m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 10.8 mi | 14m |
| South Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
| Walnut Street | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| Jacksonville Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| West Chester Pike | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Walt Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.9 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Howard, 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
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
7
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
8
Continue on I 476; PATP
75 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
12
Merge onto I 80
113 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 163
Toward Jacksonville, Howard
14
Turn right onto Walt Road
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Walt Road
15
Turn right onto PA 26
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto PA 26
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Walnut Street
17
Arrive at destination
PA 26
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Upper Darby, PA, to avoid potential traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; consider a brief break around the halfway point or after covering the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 112.9-mile mark on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be more spaced out in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is a helpful guide for budgeting, but always be prepared for minor fluctuations. This trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you don't need to worry about splitting it up.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105.8 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 47 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard, 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 211.6 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Upper Darby, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 112.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.9 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 206.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Lansdowne Avenue
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
91.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
6
205.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward Jacksonville, Howard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward Jacksonville, Howard
6
206.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn right onto PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.08 one way
$70.16 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $38.42 | $76.84 |
| premium | $4.93 | $41.04 | $82.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.72 | $93.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)
$9.75
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
$35
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.62 | $13.54 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Howard, PA
Late night in Howard on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
32 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
4h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive experience, with 41% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Mid-County Expressway, which offer faster travel. The longest uninterrupted segment extends for 112.9 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing a substantial period of consistent driving. Expect the road's character to shift as you progress, moving from more urban-influenced expressways to potentially more open highway conditions. This blend means you'll experience both efficient cruising and varied road types, keeping the driving engaging without being overly demanding.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Lansdowne Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 211.6 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 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Upper Darby, PA to Howard, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Mount Pocono
91.8 mi in
|
~1h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 211.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.75 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Howard, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Howard, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Howard, PA
More trips to Howard, PA
Explore more options from Upper Darby, PA or browse trips ending in Howard, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.