Skip to main content

Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Rome, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h

Distance

178.6 mi

288 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 48m ★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Rome, PA, PA

Rome, PA

C1 Superstar

Trip Overview

Upper Darby, PA to Rome, PA is 178.6 miles and takes about 4h via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and Tunkhannock Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to itself. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that should be manageable for a single day. With most of the miles on major roads, expect a relatively efficient journey. Consider this route if you need a direct connection between these two areas without extensive detours.

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

89.3 miles from Upper Darby, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 85.6 mi 1h 32m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway 21 mi 30m
Tunkhannock Highway 15.8 mi 25m
Roosevelt Highway 14.6 mi 21m
Mid-County Expressway 10.8 mi 14m
PA 309 9.9 mi 16m
PA 187 6.8 mi 9m
Bear Creek Boulevard 4.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 85.6 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Rome, PA.

1

Start on West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 46 sec · West Providence Road
2

Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · South Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3

Continue on Darby Road

471 ft · 13 sec · Darby Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4

Turn slight left onto PA 3

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 476

11 mi · 14 min · Mid-County Expressway
7

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway
8

Continue on I 476; PATP

86 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 105 Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
10

Turn left onto PA 115

4.3 mi · 7 min · Bear Creek Boulevard
11

Continue on PA 309

9.8 mi · 16 min · PA 309
12

Take the exit onto PA 309

509 ft · 12 sec · PA 309
13

Merge onto PA 309

16 mi · 24 min · Tunkhannock Highway
14

Continue on PA 29

1.9 mi · 3 min · Hunter Highway
15

Continue on PA 29

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Tunkhannock Highway
16

Turn left onto US 6

2.1 mi · 3 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the left lane.
17

Merge onto US 6

7.2 mi · 10 min · Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 6

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Main Street
19

Continue on US 6

0.5 mi · 46 sec · River Street
20

Continue on US 6

7.4 mi · 10 min · Roosevelt Highway
21

Continue on US 6

6.9 mi · 9 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 6

0.5 mi · 1 min · State Street
23

Continue on US 6

12 mi · 16 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
24

Turn sharp right onto PA 187

6.8 mi · 9 min · PA 187
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Arrive at destination

PA 187

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration and single-day recommendation, an early morning departure from Upper Darby is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll have one primary recommended stop, but with the drive being relatively short, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as services can be spaced out. The $30 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices is wise. This route's highway focus means you can likely maintain a steady speed, making it a predictable trip.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89.3 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 39 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 89.3 miles or 1h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rome, 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.

+

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 178.6 miles and 4h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Upper Darby, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 85.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

unincorporated community

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Back Mountain, PA

89 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Allentown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 171.8 — 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
6
102.4 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 105 Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
6
135 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Turn left onto US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
171.8 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | PA 187

Turn sharp right onto PA 187

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.61 one way

$59.22 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $32.43 $64.86
premium $4.93 $34.64 $69.27
diesel $5.61 $39.43 $78.87

Estimated Tolls: $11.13

Pennsylvania Turnpike (85.6 mi) $11.13

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

$30

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.6 0 $18.75 $8.57
Efficient EV 44.7 0 $15.63 $7.14
EV Truck/SUV 71.4 0 $25.00 $11.43

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Late night in Upper Darby on Sunday

Local time

3:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rome, PA

Late night in Rome on Sunday

Local time

3:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

39°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

37 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

4h on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $1
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 12.3
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~40 min detour Free near mile 6.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 63% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 85.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a consistent pace. The remaining portions will likely involve other significant highways like the Grand Army of the Republic Highway and Tunkhannock Highway, maintaining a generally fast-paced character. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. The road profile suggests a mostly uninterrupted journey on well-maintained thoroughfares.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Grand Army of the Republic Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Lansdowne Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178.6 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 102.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Upper Darby, PA to Rome, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bear Creek along the way.

Bear Creek

102.4 mi in | ~2h 2m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 178.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 85.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $11.13 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Rome, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 102.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Rome, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Upper Darby, PA or browse trips ending in Rome, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.