If you are looking to escape the suburbs of Upper Darby for the rolling terrain of Jim Thorpe, this 80.7-mile trek is a straightforward journey. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 1 hour and 43 minutes, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $13 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Because the travel time is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The route keeps you entirely within Pennsylvania, transitioning you from the dense suburban landscape of the Philadelphia area into the distinct topography of the state's northeastern region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Exit 74Toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, StroudsburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 209 South: LehightonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
420 ft·10 sec
Toward US 209 South: Lehighton
12
Merge onto US 209
1.6 mi·2 min·Interchange Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
15
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
17
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
18
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
19
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
20
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·33 sec·Lehigh Street
21
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi·1 min·North Street
22
Turn left onto West 6th Street
135 ft·5 sec·West 6th Street
23
Arrive at destination
West 6th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, checking traffic conditions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension before you head out is a smart way to avoid potential congestion. You won't need to plan for formal stops given the short duration, but keep your fuel budget of $13 in mind if you prefer to fill up before leaving Upper Darby. Because the drive is direct and lacks scheduled stops, consider using the time saved on the road to maximize your arrival hours in Jim Thorpe. Keeping a steady pace on the longer highway stretches will help you reach your destination with minimal stress.
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 40.3 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 18 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 55m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jim Thorpe, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Upper Darby, PA
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 Northeast Extension for about 56 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 73.6 — 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
8
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, Stroudsburg
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 74
Toward US 209: Mahoning Valley, Lehighton, Stro...
7
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 209 South: Lehighton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 209 South: Lehighton
6
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 209 South: Lehighton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 209 South: Lehighton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.38 one way
$26.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$14.65
$29.31
premium
$4.93
$15.65
$31.30
diesel
$5.61
$17.82
$35.64
Estimated Tolls: $7.28
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(56 mi)$7.28
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
$13
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Late night
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Isolated Rain Showers
SW 5 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jim Thorpe, PA
Late night
in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
4 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 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of this trip is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will start by navigating local routes like South Lansdowne Avenue before merging onto the Mid-County Expressway to connect with the main artery. The heart of the drive consists of a significant 56-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which allows for consistent speeds and efficient travel. While the beginning involves local road navigation, the majority of your time behind the wheel is dedicated to steady interstate cruising. Transitioning from these fast-paced highway sections into the final approach toward Jim Thorpe provides a noticeable change in the road's personality.
83% 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: 56 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
829 ft56 ft
Total Climb
1,463 ft
Total Descent
796 ft
Highest Point
829 ft
~63.4 mi in
Elevation Range
773 ft
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 Jim Thorpe, PA, road signs point toward Lehighton and Stroudsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.28 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 Jim Thorpe, 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 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Jim Thorpe, PA before heading back.
