Satellite Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
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 41m
Distance
287.3 mi
462 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
14 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Upper Darby, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ridgway, PA
Haneul Trac
This 287.3-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA, to Ridgway, PA, will take approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway and US 219, with a portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $48. The drive offers a mixed experience, traversing through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain good momentum throughout the trip.
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
143.7 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 165.5 mi | 3h |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75 mi | 1h 21m |
| US 219 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 10.8 mi | 14m |
| State Park Road | 7.5 mi | 13m |
| Hoovertown Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| Penfield Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| South Lansdowne Avenue | 3 mi | 8m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical · worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Ridgway, 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
Turn slight left onto I 476
Continue on I 476; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto PA 153
Continue on PA 153
Continue on PA 153
At end of road, turn right onto US 219
Turn left onto South Broad Street
Turn right onto Long Alley
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour, 41-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While it's manageable as a single-day trip, remember the longest stretch is over 165 miles, so plan for a break around that mark. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Upper Darby. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out.
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 63 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.7 miles or 2h 48m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgway, 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 287.3 miles and 5h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.7 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 165.5 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 meal stop
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Near the start, short detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+12672772623
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18142054405
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
+18885577099
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Nescopeck, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Mountain Top, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Drums, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18447982438
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+16102773825
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 258.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$45.81 one way
$91.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $50.70 | $101.39 |
| premium | $4.81 | $54.38 | $108.77 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.25 | $108.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$46
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Philadelphia, PA - Penrose Avenue - Tesla Supercharger
Philadelphia, PA
20 DCFC
Essington, PA - Tesla Supercharger
Philadelphia, PA
12 DCFC
Springfield Ford
Springfield, PA
6 DCFC
Urban Edge Broomall Commons (Broomall, PA)
Broomall, PA
6 DCFC
Wawa Folcroft
Folcroft, PA
4 DCFC
Cedar Realty Quartermaster Plaza (Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia, PA
4 DCFC
Wawa Store 8070 (Upper Darby, PA)
Upper Darby, PA
4 DCFC
ACME Penn Valley #0613
Penn Valley, PA
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.17 | $13.79 |
| Efficient EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.14 | $11.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.9 | 1 | $40.22 | $18.39 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
4:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Ridgway on Monday
Local time
4:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Fog
68°F
Harrisburg, PA
144 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
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National Memorial
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National Historical Park
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a drive with a highway share of 34%, indicating a good balance between faster travel and more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 165.5 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway, suggesting a significant period of consistent driving. This route is characterized as a "mixed drive," meaning you'll experience a variety of road types, transitioning from highway speeds to potentially more winding or slower sections as you progress toward Ridgway.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 287.3 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
966 ft
Total Descent
1,349 ft
Highest Point
1,621 ft
~82.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,062 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Ridgway, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Penfield.
Mount Pocono
Penfield
Founded 1824
Ridgway is a borough and the county seat of Elk County in the state of Pennsylvania. The community lies within the Pennsylvania Wilds.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 287.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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