Spice Restaurant & Bar
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
296.2 mi
477 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Upper Darby, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Masontown, PA
Jack Pace
Upper Darby, PA to Masontown, PA is 296.2 miles and takes about 5h 53m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, offering a straightforward drive. With a high percentage of highway travel, you'll cover most of the distance efficiently. This route is best suited for a single-day trip where you want to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
148.1 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 236.8 mi | 4h 18m |
| University Drive | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| McClellandtown Road | 9 mi | 15m |
| PA 982 | 8 mi | 13m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 7 mi | 9m |
| State Route 31 | 6 mi | 9m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Memorial Boulevard | 4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Masontown, PA.
Start on West Providence Road
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Continue on Darby Road
Turn slight left onto PA 3
Take the exit
Merge onto I 476
Take the exit
Merge onto I 76
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 31
Continue on PA 31
Turn left onto PA 982
Turn left onto US 119
Turn straight onto US 119
Merge onto US 119
Turn slight right onto US 119
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto PA 21
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto PA 166
Continue on PA 166
Turn right onto West Church Avenue
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5h 53m drive, consider departing in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. Given the mostly highway profile, you can comfortably complete this in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a single stop around the halfway point would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 236.8-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $50 should help you budget accordingly.
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.
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 65 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Masontown, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 296.2 miles and 5h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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.
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 148.1 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: 2–11 pm
+17176913131
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Devon, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 AM–3:30 PM
+16106881930
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12153974420
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jones Mills, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Carmichaels, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Somerset, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Somerset, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Malvern, Pennsylvania
+16106445822
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+16106248058
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+16105954359
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Hours: 3–9 pm
+16106660600
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+16102651071
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Take the exit toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$47.23 one way
$94.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $52.27 | $104.53 |
| premium | $4.81 | $56.07 | $112.14 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.93 | $111.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $30.78
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
$47
Tolls
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.10 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.92 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.47 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Upper Darby on Monday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Late night in Masontown on Monday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
148 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
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...
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...
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is 89% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll encounter 236.8 miles on the Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads like University Drive and McClellandtown Road. Expect frequent exits and entries as you navigate the highway portion of this trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and University Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 296.2 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 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,516 ft
Total Descent
1,532 ft
Highest Point
2,323 ft
~232.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,267 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Masontown, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg and Uniontown.
Chester
Pottstown
Harrisburg
Uniontown
Founded 1798
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 296.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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