How far is Laurel, DE from Elsmere, DE?
The driving distance from Laurel, DE to Elsmere, DE is about 98 miles (157.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.7 miles (131.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m 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 46m.
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.
City in and county seat of Kent County, Delaware, United States, and capital city of Delaware
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 Laurel and Elsmere.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel and Elsmere.
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1
Start on South Central Avenue
2903 ft · 1 min · South Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Georgetown Road
1 km · 1 min · Georgetown Road
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3
Turn left onto Sussex Highway
18.7 mi · 26 min · Sussex Highway
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4
Continue on South Dupont Highway
21.1 mi · 25 min · South Dupont Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Wilmington, Delaware Memorial Bridge
555 ft · 9 sec
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6
Continue on Puncheon Run Connector
2.4 mi · 3 min · Puncheon Run Connector
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7
Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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8
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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9
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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10
Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Stanton Christiana Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Stanton Christiana Road
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12
Continue on Mitch Road
1947 ft · 37 sec · Mitch Road
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13
Continue on Limestone Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Limestone Road
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14
Turn right onto Kirkwood Highway
3.5 mi · 6 min · Kirkwood Highway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laurel and Elsmere.
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 Laurel and Sunny near Elsmere.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laurel to Elsmere?
The road trip is about 98 miles (157.7 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Dover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46 miles from Laurel and 51.9 miles from Elsmere.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.7 miles (131.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 2:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.14 one way or $28.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Laurel and Sunny near Elsmere.
Stop Ideas Near Dover
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 Dover.
Dover, Delaware
Newark
Easton Airport, Maryland
Wilmington station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laurel and Elsmere. Straight-line distance: 81.74 mi (131.54 km).
#1 Laurel
Town in Sussex County, Delaware, USA
| Population | 4,511 |
| Coordinates | 38.5565000, -75.5713100 |
| Altitude | 8 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 5,761 |
| Coordinates | 39.7392800, -75.5979800 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| Country | United States |
End: Robert Kirkwood Highway (-75.597949, 39.739351)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 158 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.14 | $28.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $15.91 | $31.83 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $20.69 | $41.38 |
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.