Traveling from Williamsport to Philadelphia covers 170.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving you from the northern parts of the state down toward the southeastern corner. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to cover the distance. While the route is straightforward, its turn-heavy nature means you will want to stay alert behind the wheel throughout the journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89 miles from Williamsport, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Exit 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
23
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
24
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly three-hour trek, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up this 170.4-mile path. Budgeting $27 for gas is a solid estimate, but keep a little extra set aside for unexpected local fuel price fluctuations along the way. Given the turn-heavy profile of the route, plan your single stop for a point roughly halfway through to stretch your legs and reset. Focusing on the navigation is key here, so utilize a reliable GPS to stay on track as you transition between Montgomery Pike and Highway 15.
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 miles from Williamsport, PA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.1 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89 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 2h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Williamsport, 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 Williamsport, PA
This is one driving day of about 178 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Williamsport, 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 75.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 159.6 and 177.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
159.6 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
163.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
177.4 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.51 one way
$59.02 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.32
$64.64
premium
$4.93
$34.52
$69.04
diesel
$5.61
$39.30
$78.60
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)$9.76
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
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 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
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.92
$11.39
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
Williamsport, PA
Morning
in Williamsport on Sunday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
6:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
2 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
3h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will navigate via Montgomery Pike, Highway 15, and the Westbranch Highway, which keeps you off high-speed expressways and on more localized roads. This configuration creates a more engaging, hands-on driving experience that requires your constant attention. Because the roads are not designed for long-distance highway speeds, the pace remains steady and consistent. Prepare for a trip that rewards drivers who prefer navigating local corridors over the repetitive nature of major interstates.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 159.6 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 178 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 159.6 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.5 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.
Between Williamsport, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Valley Forge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 178 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.76 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 Philadelphia, 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 159.6 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Philadelphia, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
