How far is Elsmere, DE from Townsend, DE?
The driving distance from Elsmere, DE to Townsend, DE is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.3 miles (39.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elsmere and Townsend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elsmere and Townsend.
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1
Start on Robert Kirkwood Highway
2284 ft · 56 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway
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2
Turn right onto South Dupont Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Dupont Road
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3
Turn right onto North Maryland Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · North Maryland Avenue
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4
Continue on East Newport Pike
1.2 km · 2 min · East Newport Pike
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5
Continue on East Justis Street
1427 ft · 41 sec · East Justis Street
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6
Turn left onto North James Street
103 m · 13 sec · North James Street
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7
Turn left onto East Market Street
29 m · 2 sec · East Market Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward DE 141 South: New Castle
1026 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1667 ft · 28 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Newark, Baltimore
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Delaware Turnpike
2 mi · 2 min · Delaware Turnpike
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12
Take the exit slight right toward DE 1 South, DE 7 South: Mall Road, Dover, Beaches
2960 ft · 41 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on DE 1 South: Dover, Beaches
1.2 km · 59 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10.1 mi · 12 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
1518 ft · 20 sec · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 13, DE 896: Mount Pleasant, Boyds Corner
1443 ft · 35 sec
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18
Turn right onto Pole Bridge Road
749 ft · 17 sec · Pole Bridge Road
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19
Turn left onto South Dupont Parkway
2.8 mi · 4 min · South Dupont Parkway
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20
Continue on North 6th Street
2641 ft · 1 min · North 6th Street
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21
Continue on South Dupont Parkway
3.4 mi · 5 min · South Dupont Parkway
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22
Turn right onto Pine Tree Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Pine Tree Road
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23
Continue on Main Street
2335 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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24
Turn left onto South Street
27 m · 3 sec · South Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elsmere and Townsend.
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.
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge slight right onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10.1 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Sunny leaving Elsmere and Sunny near Townsend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elsmere to Townsend?
The road trip is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Bear is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Elsmere and 14.4 miles from Townsend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.3 miles (39.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.13 one way or $8.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elsmere and Sunny near Townsend.
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 Elsmere and Townsend. Straight-line distance: 24.3 mi (39.1 km).
#1 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 5,761 |
| Coordinates | 39.7392800, -75.5979800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Townsend
Town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States
| Population | 2,764 |
| Coordinates | 39.3951100, -75.6916000 |
| Altitude | 20 |
| Country | United States |
End: Townsend (-75.6916, 39.39511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $4.13 | $8.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.64 | $9.29 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $5.00 | $10.01 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $6.04 | $12.08 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.