Spanning 177.8 miles from Woodward to Philadelphia, this journey takes approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, it is best approached as a focused one-day trip. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pennsylvania locations. While the drive is manageable in a single stretch, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert. Expect a transition from the rural landscape of the Northeast region into the urban environment of Philadelphia. It is a straightforward trip that rewards those who prefer backroad navigation over highway congestion.
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
86.9 miles from Woodward, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Exit 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
40
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
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.
42
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
45
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
46
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
47
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the day to avoid navigating unfamiliar curves in low-light conditions. You only need to budget for one stop to keep the 3-hour and 13-minute travel time on track. Given the lack of highway relief, prioritize regular breaks to keep your focus sharp on the local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel levels early in the trip, as local routes can sometimes have fewer service options than major interstates. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility is your best strategy, so don't hesitate to pull over for a quick rest if the technical nature of the drive starts to wear on you.
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 86.9 miles from Woodward, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.4 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 38 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.9 miles or 2h 1m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodward, 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 Woodward, PA
This is one driving day of about 173.9 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Woodward, 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 37.4 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.1 and 173.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
8
159.1 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
159.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
173.4 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
$28.37 one way
$56.74 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$31.20
$62.40
premium
$4.86
$33.29
$66.59
diesel
$5.61
$38.39
$76.79
Estimated Tolls: $5.71
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.4 mi)$4.87
Old Turnpike Road
(10.8 mi)$0.75
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.3 mi)$0.09
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
$28
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.2
0
$18.26
$8.35
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.22
$6.96
EV Truck/SUV
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Woodward, PA
Evening
in Woodward on Tuesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Evening
in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Shenandoah, PA
87 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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 48m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 173.9
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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...
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 161.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via Penns Valley Road, Old Turnpike Road, and Main Street. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Penns Valley Road is essentially negligible, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and steering through varied local conditions. This personality makes the drive more technically demanding than a standard freeway cruise. Stay prepared for constant changes in road geometry as you move through the Pennsylvania countryside toward your destination.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.4 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 116.1 miles in near US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway.
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 25 significant decision points across 173.9 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 116.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,145 ft45 ft
Total Climb
748 ft
Total Descent
1,848 ft
Highest Point
1,145 ft
Elevation Range
1,100 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodward, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport, Patp, Scranton and Valley Forge.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 173.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.71 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 116.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Philadelphia, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
