How far is Dover, DE from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance from Dover, DE to Philadelphia, PA is about 79.7 miles (128.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 58.2 miles (93.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 44m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Delaware, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dover and Philadelphia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dover and Philadelphia.
-
1
Start on Kings Highway
1578 ft · 1 min · Kings Highway
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2
Merge slight left onto East Division Street
1.6 km · 2 min · East Division Street
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3
Continue on North Little Creek Road
1.3 km · 1 min · North Little Creek Road
-
4
Take the ramp left toward DE 1 Toll North: Wilmington
2238 ft · 55 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.6 mi · 32 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
6.5 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
5.2 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Wilmington, Philadelphia
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Delaware Turnpike
1.8 mi · 2 min · Delaware Turnpike
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Wilmington Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Wilmington Expressway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Merge slight left onto Wilmington Expressway
947 ft · 15 sec · Wilmington Expressway
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14
Continue on Delaware Expressway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Delaware Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Delaware Expressway
8.5 mi · 12 min · Delaware Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Valley Forge, Island Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Valley Forge, Island Avenue
1438 ft · 35 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Valley Forge
1535 ft · 38 sec
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19
Continue on Penrose Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Penrose Avenue
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20
Turn left onto South 26th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South 26th Street
-
21
Merge slight right onto Schuylkill Expressway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Schuylkill Expressway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward 30th Street
911 ft · 24 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Schuylkill Avenue
84 m · 8 sec · Schuylkill Avenue
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24
Turn right onto Market Street
1.4 km · 3 min · Market Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 15th Street
26 m · 2 sec · South 15th Street
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26
Turn slight left onto South Penn Square
115 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
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27
Keep slight left to continue on South Penn Square
51 m · 3 sec · South Penn Square
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Penn Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dover 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.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
27.6 mi · 00h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Dover and Sunny near Philadelphia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dover to Philadelphia?
The road trip is about 79.7 miles (128.2 km) and usually takes 01h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bear is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Dover and 39.8 miles from Philadelphia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 58.2 miles (93.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.48 one way or $22.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dover and Sunny near Philadelphia.
Stop Ideas Near Bear
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 Bear.
Newark
Wilmington station
Downingtown
Coatesville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dover and Philadelphia. Straight-line distance: 58.14 mi (93.56 km).
#1 Dover
City in and county seat of Kent County, Delaware, United States, and capital city of Delaware
| Population | 38,199 |
| Coordinates | 39.1581700, -75.5243700 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| 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: Philadelphia (-75.16379, 39.95233)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 128 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.48 | $22.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $12.92 | $25.85 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $13.92 | $27.84 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $16.80 | $33.61 |
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 · Aug 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.