How far is Upper Darby, PA from Lancaster, PA?

The driving distance from Upper Darby, PA to Lancaster, PA is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
62.88 mi
01h 43m
Flight
55.14 mi
88.74 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Upper Darby.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
55.14 mi
Kilometers
88.74 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
62.88 mi
Kilometers
101.19 km
Drive Time
01h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lancaster
Thu, Apr 23, 7:25 AM EDT
Return by in Upper Darby
Thu, Apr 23, 9:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Upper Darby
2026-04-23T05:42
Arrive Lancaster
Thu, Apr 23, 7:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Upper Darby
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Thorndale
PA

City in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States

From Upper Darby
31.4 mi
00h 51m
To Lancaster
31.5 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Upper Darby and Lancaster.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby and Lancaster.

  1. 1

    Start on West Providence Road

    2223 ft · 1 min · West Providence Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Springfield Road

    3.8 mi · 9 min · Springfield Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto State Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · State Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Media Bypass

    4 mi · 5 min · Media Bypass

  5. 5

    Continue on Baltimore Pike

    705 ft · 14 sec · Baltimore Pike

  6. 6

    Take the exit right

    96 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Middletown Road

    5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road

  8. 8

    Continue on South Chester Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West Chester Pike

    3.2 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown

    1172 ft · 45 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chester Bypass

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton

    3.3 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Downingtown, Lancaster

    1797 ft · 44 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Exton Bypass

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Exton Bypass

  15. 15

    Continue on Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass

    13.7 mi · 19 min · Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass

  16. 16

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    5.2 mi · 8 min · Lincoln Highway

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Highway

    2395 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Highway

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Newport Road

    5.3 mi · 9 min · Newport Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Old Philadelphia Pike

    8.7 mi · 15 min · Old Philadelphia Pike

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto Lincoln Highway East

    575 ft · 16 sec · Lincoln Highway East

  21. 21

    Continue on East King Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · East King Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Broad Street

    160 m · 16 sec · North Broad Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East Orange Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Orange Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Duke Street

    1165 ft · 48 sec · North Duke Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Vine Street

    601 ft · 20 sec · East Vine Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto South Queen Street

    155 m · 19 sec · South Queen Street

  27. 27

    Turn right

    27 m · 6 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Upper Darby and Lancaster.

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
28 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass
13.7 mi · 22%
Old Philadelphia Pike
8.68 mi · 14%
North Middletown Road
5.81 mi · 9%
Lincoln Highway
5.63 mi · 9%
Newport Road
5.33 mi · 8%
Media Bypass
3.96 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass

Continue on Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass

13.7 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.8 mi
55.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorndale
00h 51m from Upper Darby
Leave By
3:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Upper Darby and Sunny near Lancaster.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Upper Darby to Lancaster?

The road trip is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?

Thorndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.4 miles from Upper Darby and 31.5 miles from Lancaster.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 3:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.07 one way or $18.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Upper Darby and Sunny near Lancaster.

Stop Ideas Near Thorndale

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Thorndale, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Downingtown

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

Coatesville

6 mi away
Third Ave. and Fleetwood St.
RAIL

Exton

11 mi away
425 Walkertown Road
RAIL

Parkesburg

16 mi away
W. First and S. Culvert Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Upper Darby and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 55.14 mi (88.74 km).

Upper Darby

#1 Upper Darby

Town in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population82,883
Coordinates39.9284500, -75.2738000
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Lancaster

#2 Lancaster

City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population17,106
Coordinates40.0378800, -76.3055100
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Start: Upper Darby (-75.2738, 39.92845)
End: Lancaster (-76.30551, 40.03788)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 101 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.22 gal
8.4 L · about $9.07
Round trip
$18.14
4.44 gal · 16.8 L
Estimated CO2
19.7 kg one way
Round trip: 39.5 kg / 87 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $9.07 $18.14
Mid-grade $4.60 $10.21 $20.42
Premium $4.95 $11.00 $22.00
Diesel $5.98 $13.28 $26.55

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Upper Darby and Lancaster. The current time is 05:42:01.

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.