New York to Philadelphia is one of the shortest interstate drives in the country — roughly 95 miles via the New Jersey Turnpike. It's a convenient day-trip distance from either city.
The train is a strong alternative, with Amtrak's Northeast Regional making the trip in about 1 hour 20 minutes. SEPTA and NJ Transit connections are also possible, albeit slower.
Stops Along the Way
A short detour off the Turnpike for the beautiful Ivy League campus and charming downtown.
Tips for This Trip
The train beats driving for most trips
Amtrak from Penn Station (NY) to 30th Street Station (Philadelphia) takes ~1h20m and costs $25–50 — often faster than driving once you account for traffic and parking.
Tolls add up on the NJ Turnpike
Budget $15–20 in tolls round-trip. E-ZPass lanes move much faster — especially near the Delaware Memorial Bridge interchange.
Parking in Philadelphia is much easier than NYC
If you drive, parking garages near Center City charge $15–25 per day — far more reasonable than New York.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia is about 80 miles (130 km) from New York in a straight line, and roughly 95 miles (155 km) by road via the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95).