How far is Center, PA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance from Center, PA to Philadelphia, PA is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Center and Philadelphia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center and Philadelphia.
-
1
Start on Saltsburg Road
594 ft · 18 sec · Saltsburg Road
-
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Center Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · Center Road
-
3
Turn slight left
1.3 km · 2 min
-
4
Continue on Mosside Boulevard
2225 ft · 51 sec · Mosside Boulevard
-
5
Turn sharp left onto Daugherty Drive
56 m · 12 sec · Daugherty Drive
-
6
Turn right
128 m · 36 sec
-
7
Take the ramp right
885 ft · 30 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Harrisburg
855 ft · 29 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
270.5 mi · 4 hr 55 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
18 mi · 26 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Vine Street Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Central Philadelphia
731 ft · 18 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
96 m · 11 sec
-
14
Turn right onto North 15th Street
1987 ft · 49 sec · North 15th Street
-
15
Turn slight left onto South Penn Square
115 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on South Penn Square
51 m · 3 sec · South Penn Square
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Penn Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Center and Philadelphia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
271 mi · 04h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Center and Sunny near Philadelphia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Center to Philadelphia?
The road trip is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km) and usually takes 04h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lurgan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.8 miles from Center and 147 miles from Philadelphia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.37 one way or $84.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Center and Sunny near Philadelphia.
Stop Ideas Near Lurgan
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lurgan.
Hagerstown, MD
Huntingdon
Lewistown
Hancock, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center and Philadelphia. Straight-line distance: 245.12 mi (394.48 km).
#1 Center
Human settlement in Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 2,438 |
| Coordinates | 40.4775700, -79.7589400 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Philadelphia
The sixth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,578,487 |
| Coordinates | 39.9523300, -75.1637900 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Penn Square (-75.163922, 39.951648)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $42.37 | $84.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $47.69 | $95.38 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $51.37 | $102.75 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $62.01 | $124.03 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.