Upper Darby, PA to Schuylkill Haven, PA is 92 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll mainly stick to major roadways, making it a predictable journey. Plan for a relatively quick trip with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
11
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: PottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
14
Merge onto PA 61
2.4 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on PA 61
10 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto PA 443
0.5 mi·1 min·Dock Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto East Main Street
183 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
18
Turn right onto South Margaretta Street
270 ft·13 sec·South Margaretta Street
19
Turn right onto East Wilson Street
264 ft·13 sec·East Wilson Street
20
Turn right onto High Street
199 ft·8 sec·High Street
21
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic around Upper Darby. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 37.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so plan your last restroom break before joining that segment.
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 46 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.5 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 20 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46 miles or 1h 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schuylkill Haven, 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 92 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 37.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 78.3 — 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
54.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
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 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.25 one way
$30.50 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$16.70
$33.41
premium
$4.93
$17.84
$35.68
diesel
$5.61
$20.31
$40.62
Estimated Tolls: $5.68
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.5 mi)$4.88
Centre Turnpike
(10.3 mi)$0.72
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$15
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.66
$4.42
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.05
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.88
$5.89
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Schuylkill Haven, PA
Late night
in Schuylkill Haven on Sunday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
33 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 59m 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.
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...
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...
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...
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 6.3
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 64% of the journey on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Mid-County Expressway. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, including one segment of 37.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension without needing to exit. While much of the route utilizes these higher-speed corridors, the inclusion of the William Penn Highway suggests some variation. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your travel.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and William Penn Highway. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92 miles you will encounter 15 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 54.3 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.
On the drive from Upper Darby, PA to Schuylkill Haven, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisburg along the way.
Harrisburg
54.3 mi in|~1h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 92 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.68 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 Schuylkill Haven, 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 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (5 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 Schuylkill Haven, PA before heading back.
