How far is Townsend, DE from Elsmere, DE?

The driving distance from Townsend, DE to Elsmere, DE is about 29.2 miles (47 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.3 miles (39.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
29.19 mi
00h 44m
Flight
24.3 mi
39.1 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Townsend.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.3 mi
Kilometers
39.1 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.19 mi
Kilometers
46.97 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elsmere
Thu, Apr 23, 9:41 AM EDT
Return by in Townsend
Thu, Apr 23, 10:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Townsend
2026-04-23T08:56
Arrive Elsmere
Thu, Apr 23, 9:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Townsend
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Bear
DE

Census-designated place in Delaware, United States

From Townsend
14.6 mi
00h 22m
To Elsmere
14.6 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Townsend and Elsmere.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Townsend and Elsmere.

  1. 1

    Start on South Street

    119 m · 15 sec · South Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Lattomus Street

    136 m · 21 sec · Lattomus Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Commerce Street

    144 m · 19 sec · Commerce Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2923 ft · 2 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Pine Tree Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Pine Tree Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Dupont Parkway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · South Dupont Parkway

  7. 7

    Continue on South 5th Street

    2808 ft · 1 min · South 5th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on South Dupont Parkway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · South Dupont Parkway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Pole Bridge Road

    1413 ft · 34 sec · Pole Bridge Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto DE 1 Toll North: Wilmington

    1640 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    6.5 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Stanton Christiana Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Stanton Christiana Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Mitch Road

    1947 ft · 37 sec · Mitch Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Limestone Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Limestone Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Kirkwood Highway

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Kirkwood Highway

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Robert Kirkwood Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Townsend and Elsmere.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
61.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13.3 mi · 46%
South Dupont Parkway
6.15 mi · 21%
Kirkwood Highway
3.48 mi · 12%
Stanton Christiana Road
1.62 mi · 6%
Pine Tree Road
1.37 mi · 5%
Limestone Road
0.97 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway

6.48 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
24.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bear
00h 22m from Townsend
Leave By
7:02 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Townsend and Sunny near Elsmere.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Townsend to Elsmere?

The road trip is about 29.2 miles (47 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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 14.6 miles from Townsend and 14.6 miles from Elsmere.

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 4.9 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 7:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.21 one way or $8.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Townsend and Sunny near Elsmere.

Stop Ideas Near Bear

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Bear and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old Town Hall Museum
Scenic stop 12.9 mi away

Old Town Hall Museum

Wilmington , DE
512 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews Tourist attraction,Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

City of Wilmington

Wilmington , DE
800 N French St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 10.2 mi away

Newport Town Administration

Newport , DE
226 N James St, Newport, DE 19804
Rating 2.5/5 2 reviews Auditorium

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bear.

RAIL

Newark

9 mi away
429 South College Ave.
RAIL

Wilmington station

15 mi away
100 South French Street
RAIL

Downingtown

42 mi away
West Lancaster Ave. and Stuart Ave.
RAIL

Coatesville

42 mi away
Third Ave. and Fleetwood St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Townsend and Elsmere. Straight-line distance: 24.3 mi (39.1 km).

Townsend

#1 Townsend

Town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States

Population2,764
Coordinates39.3951100, -75.6916000
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Elsmere

#2 Elsmere

Town in Delaware

Population5,761
Coordinates39.7392800, -75.5979800
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Start: Townsend (-75.6916, 39.39511)
End: Elsmere (-75.59798, 39.73928)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 47 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.03 gal
3.9 L · about $4.21
Round trip
$8.42
2.06 gal · 7.8 L
Estimated CO2
9.2 kg one way
Round trip: 18.3 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $4.21 $8.42
Mid-grade $4.60 $4.74 $9.47
Premium $4.95 $5.10 $10.21
Diesel $5.98 $6.16 $12.32

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

There is no time difference between Townsend and Elsmere. The current time is 08:56:38.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.