Philadelphia to Washington D.C. is a short, well-connected hop on the Northeast Corridor — about 140 miles by road, or a 90-minute Amtrak ride. The two cities are natural partners for a multi-day trip.
The drive goes via I-95 through Delaware and Maryland, passing Wilmington and Baltimore. Both make worthwhile stops, particularly Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Stops Along the Way
Delaware's largest city with some excellent museums, just 30 minutes south of Philadelphia on I-95.
The Inner Harbor, outstanding crab houses, Fells Point, and the USS Constellation — a great stop 45 minutes north of D.C.
Tips for This Trip
Amtrak is excellent on this route
The Northeast Regional train takes about 90 minutes from 30th Street Station to Union Station — comfortable, frequent, and cheaper than a car once parking is factored in.
Baltimore is worth slowing down for
If you have flexibility, Baltimore deserves more than a drive-through — the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are genuinely enjoyable stops.
Budget for Delaware and Maryland tolls
The Delaware Memorial Bridge and I-95 through Maryland have tolls. E-ZPass speeds things up considerably.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Washington D.C. is about 125 miles (200 km) from Philadelphia in a straight line, and roughly 140 miles (225 km) by road via I-95 through Delaware and Maryland.