Origin
Upper Darby, PA
Morning in Upper Darby on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Sterling, 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 47m
Distance
224.4 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 34m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 57m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling, PA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Upper Darby, PA to Sterling, PA is 224.4 miles and takes about 4h 47m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 22, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, beginning in the Northeast region and concluding in the same area. Expect a drive that is predominantly on major highways, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is well-suited for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The fuel cost estimate of $37 provides a good baseline for budgeting.
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
112.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 78.8 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 322 | 54.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 7 mi | 9m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| I 83 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 78.8 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Sterling, 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
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 16B
Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 76
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Mall Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 76
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 283
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 283
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
20
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 83
21
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 322
Exit 51A
Toward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
22
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 322
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
25
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Division Highway
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
28
Continue on US 322
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto PA 504
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Presqueisle Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn left onto PA 53
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Front Street
31
Turn right onto PA 53
480 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Maple Street
32
Continue on PA 53
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Walton Street
33
Continue on PA 53
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Stone Street
34
Turn right onto Kate Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Kate Street
35
At end of road, turn left onto Elizabeth Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Elizabeth Street
36
Turn right onto PA 53
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Sarah Street
37
Continue on PA 53
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring Street
38
Turn right onto Sterling Avenue
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Sterling Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
Sterling Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 47m estimated duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day. Consider departing Upper Darby in the morning to allow for an early afternoon arrival in Sterling, leaving some flexibility for unexpected delays. The longest stretch without a major road change is 78.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on this segment. While there is only one recommended stop, you may wish to break up the drive further based on your personal comfort. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition onto US 22, to ensure you have enough to reach Sterling.
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 112.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.8 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 19m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, 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 224.4 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 for about 78.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.2 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.8 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
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 328B-A/327
Toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, We...
9
17.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevar...
8
17.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
8
97.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
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 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
9
107.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.20 one way
$74.41 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $40.75 | $81.49 |
| premium | $4.93 | $43.52 | $87.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.54 | $99.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.24
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.8 mi)
$10.24
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
$37
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.8 | 1 | $31.42 | $14.36 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Sterling, PA
Morning in Sterling on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Middlesex, PA
112 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 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 47m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 23.2
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov
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
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 77.4
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 116.1
View on nps.gov
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
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 31
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a longest stretch of 78.8 miles without needing to exit. The drive transitions from the Turnpike onto US 322 and then US 22, offering a mix of high-speed travel. While primarily highway, the segments on US 22 may offer a slightly different feel as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of efficient travel on well-maintained roads.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 224.4 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Sterling, PA, road signs point toward Chester, Pottstown, Harrisburg, Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Chester
17.2 mi in
|
~30m
Pottstown
17.2 mi in
|
~30m
Harrisburg
17.8 mi in
|
~31m
Hershey
97.5 mi in
|
~1h 57m
State College
100.6 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Lewistown
107 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via US 322
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 224.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.24 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 Sterling, 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Sterling, 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.
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