If you are looking for a straightforward trip from Upper Darby to Nesquehoning, this 84-mile drive is a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 48 minutes on the road, making it an easy trek for those wanting to escape the suburbs for the day. Budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Because the travel time is under two hours, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you choose to extend your visit. This route is highly practical for travelers who prioritize efficiency over a scenic, winding path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m 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·32 sec·Lehigh Street
21
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
22
Continue on US 209
3.7 mi·6 min·East Catawissa Street
23
Turn left onto North Mermon Avenue
59 ft·2 sec·North Mermon Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
North Mermon Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will be spending the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so keep an eye on traffic reports for that corridor to avoid potential congestion. Given the 1 hour and 48-minute duration, you can easily complete the drive without needing any scheduled stops for rest or refueling. However, keeping that $14 fuel budget in mind, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the highway to avoid paying premium prices near the toll roads. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route and use the saved travel time to maximize your arrival in Nesquehoning.
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 42 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 56m 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 42 miles or 56m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nesquehoning, 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 84 miles and 1h 48m.
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 11
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
$13.93 one way
$27.85 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.25
$30.50
premium
$4.93
$16.29
$32.58
diesel
$5.61
$18.55
$37.09
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
$14
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: 29.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.2
0
$8.82
$4.03
Efficient EV
21
0
$7.35
$3.36
EV Truck/SUV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Afternoon
in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nesquehoning, PA
Afternoon
in Nesquehoning on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
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
19 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 48m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 11.6
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...
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...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 5.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 79% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate the Mid-County Expressway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which serves as the backbone of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 56-mile run on the Turnpike, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you transition from the suburban sprawl near Upper Darby toward your destination, the road eventually narrows as you exit onto East Catawissa Street. It is a functional, efficient drive that minimizes stop-and-go traffic for the majority of your time on the road.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 84 miles you will encounter 11 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.
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 Nesquehoning, PA, road signs point toward Lehighton and Stroudsburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). 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 Nesquehoning, 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 — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Nesquehoning, PA before heading back.
