How far is Lancaster, PA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance from Lancaster, PA to Philadelphia, PA is about 79.5 miles (128 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.7 miles (97.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Philadelphia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Philadelphia.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right onto East King Street
2354 ft · 2 min · East King Street
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3
Turn left onto North Plum Street
2321 ft · 1 min · North Plum Street
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4
Continue on New Holland Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · New Holland Avenue
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5
Continue on New Holland Pike
1493 ft · 41 sec · New Holland Pike
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6
Take the ramp left toward US 30 West: York, Harrisburg
1619 ft · 40 sec
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7
Merge slight left
1010 ft · 16 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 222 North: Reading
2546 ft · 43 sec
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9
Continue straight
15 mi · 17 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: Denver, PA Turnpike
1170 ft · 31 sec
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11
Turn right onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
1033 ft · 25 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
2931 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
1660 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
39.4 mi · 42 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
18 mi · 26 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Vine Street Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Central Philadelphia
731 ft · 18 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
96 m · 11 sec
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19
Turn right onto North 15th Street
1987 ft · 49 sec · North 15th Street
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20
Turn slight left onto South Penn Square
115 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
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21
Keep slight left to continue on South Penn Square
51 m · 3 sec · South Penn Square
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Penn Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster 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
39.4 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lancaster and Chance Rain Showers near Philadelphia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Philadelphia?
The road trip is about 79.5 miles (128 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
East Nantmeal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.2 miles from Lancaster and 40.3 miles from Philadelphia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.7 miles (97.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 3:42 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lancaster and Chance Rain Showers near Philadelphia.
Stop Ideas Near East Nantmeal
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 East Nantmeal.
Downingtown
Exton
Coatesville
Paoli
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Philadelphia. Straight-line distance: 60.72 mi (97.72 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 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 Pennsylvania · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.