How far is Delaware City, DE from Elsmere, DE?
The driving distance from Delaware City, DE to Elsmere, DE is about 16.4 miles (26.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.2 miles (18 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Delaware
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Delaware City and Elsmere.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delaware City and Elsmere.
-
1
Start on Clinton Street
2441 ft · 1 min · Clinton Street
-
2
Turn right onto 5th Street
2690 ft · 56 sec · 5th Street
-
3
Continue on Wrangle Hill Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Wrangle Hill Road
-
4
Turn right
38 m · 6 sec
-
5
Turn right onto River Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · River Road
-
6
Turn left onto Hamburg Road
1 km · 1 min · Hamburg Road
-
7
Turn right onto South Dupont Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · South Dupont Highway
-
8
Take the exit straight
789 ft · 22 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
1028 ft · 28 sec
-
10
Turn straight onto DE 141 North: Newport
1136 ft · 31 sec
-
11
Continue on West Basin Road
4.2 mi · 6 min · West Basin Road
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward DE 2: Elsmere, Newark
140 m · 11 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on DE 2 East: Elsmere
1689 ft · 41 sec
-
14
Turn straight onto Kirkwood Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Kirkwood Highway
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Delaware City and Elsmere.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Dupont Highway
Turn right onto South Dupont Highway
4.7 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Delaware City and Rain Showers Likely near Elsmere.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Delaware City to Elsmere?
The road trip is about 16.4 miles (26.4 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
New Castle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.2 miles from Delaware City and 8.2 miles from Elsmere.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.2 miles (18 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.37 one way or $4.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Delaware City and Rain Showers Likely near Elsmere.
Stop Ideas Near New Castle
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Town Hall Museum
City of Wilmington
Newport Town Administration
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Castle.
Wilmington station
Newark
Downingtown
Exton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Delaware City and Elsmere. Straight-line distance: 11.16 mi (17.96 km).
#1 Delaware City
City in New Castle County, Delaware, United States
| Population | 1,837 |
| Coordinates | 39.5778900, -75.5888100 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 5,761 |
| Coordinates | 39.7392800, -75.5979800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elsmere (-75.59798, 39.73928)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $2.37 | $4.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.67 | $5.33 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.87 | $5.75 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $3.47 | $6.94 |
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 Delaware · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.