Cost to drive from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
Driving from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. covers 136 miles (219 km) and takes about 3h 4min without stops. At Pennsylvania's current fuel prices (week of 2026-07-20), the fuel for the trip costs about $19.22 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
| Location | Petrol/gal | Diesel/gal |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $4.24 | $5.56 |
| Washington, D.C. | $4.22 | $5.54 |
Enter your fuel economy and see stops along the way.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving distance between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. (136 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, then multiply by a typical car's fuel use and Pennsylvania's current average pump price. The petrol figure assumes 30 MPG · 7.8 L/100km; diesel and EV use 35 MPG · 6.7 L/100km and 3.5 mi/kWh. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the planner for your exact numbers, and check live prices on the Pennsylvania fuel prices page.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?
The drive is 136 miles (219 km) and takes about 3h 4min without stops. Fuel costs roughly $19.22 in an average petrol car, $21.63 in a diesel, and $6.61 in an electric car, using Pennsylvania's current fuel prices.
How far is it from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. in miles and km?
About 136 miles or 219 kilometres by road — roughly 3h 4min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.?
Petrol is cheaper in District of Columbia ($4.22/gal) than in Pennsylvania ($4.24/gal), so wait to fill up when you arrive.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Open the FuelWide route planner, enter your car's fuel economy, and it prices the trip on live data — and shows fuel or charging stops along the way.
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are Pennsylvania's current official averages; efficiency and electricity rate are typical estimates. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.