Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
52 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paradise, PA
Vika Glitter
Upper Darby, PA to Paradise, PA is 52 miles and takes about 1 hour 25 minutes via Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than an open highway cruise. With only 1 day recommended for this trip, it's a manageable journey perfect for a quick getaway or an add-on to a larger regional exploration.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| Lincoln Highway | 11.1 mi | 20m |
| North Middletown Road | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| Media Bypass | 4 mi | 5m |
| Springfield Road | 3.8 mi | 8m |
| PA 100 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| West Chester Pike | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Exton Bypass | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Paradise, PA.
Start on West Providence Road
Turn right onto Springfield Road
Turn left onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 352
Continue on PA 352
Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352
Take the exit
Merge onto US 202; US 322
Take the exit onto PA 100
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
Turn right onto Leacock Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 24.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 1 / State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto PA 100 toward PA 100 North: Exton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 30 West: Downingtown, Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$8.62 one way
$17.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.08 | $20.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.48 | $22.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Paradise on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
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.
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 6% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 13.7 miles along the Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass. As you progress, the drive transitions from more direct routes like North Middletown Road to the historic Lincoln Highway. Be prepared for frequent turns and varied road conditions as you navigate through local communities.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near US 1 / State Road.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52 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 4.2 miles (US 1 / State Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Paradise, PA, road signs point toward Downingtown and Lancaster.
Downingtown
Lancaster
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 52 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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