Washington, Baltimore & Philadelphia
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Capital Cities Corridor
Baltimore to Philadelphia
Baltimore and Philadelphia sit about 144 km (90 mi) apart in a straight line, with Philadelphia to the north-east. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 144 km · 90 mi
- Est. road distance
- 173–202 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 45 min – 3 h
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary is easy to do on public transport, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 173–202 km (107–125 mi) and 1 h 45 min – 3 h at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
Most travelers link the three cities by Amtrak or regional rail, which is easy to do without a car. Driving works too, though parking in city centers is a hassle. Once you arrive, each city is best explored on foot, with transit for longer hops.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends, plus 7 places near the straight-line path.
When you arrive in Philadelphia
Two days works well: Independence sights and Reading Terminal on day one, the Parkway's museums and South Philly food on day two.
Independence Hall
Where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.
Reading Terminal Market
1893 market hall with Amish bakeries and Philly sandwich counters.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern, open since 1860.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
German-style Christmas market in LOVE Park and around City Hall, with wooden stalls, ornaments, bratwurst and Glühwein.
Dilworth Park
Plaza on the west side of City Hall with an outdoor ice rink and a lit Wintergarden in the holiday season.
The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
Hotel in a domed former bank building on Broad Street, a block south of City Hall and Christmas Village.
Near the way
These places from our other itineraries sit within about 22 km of the straight line between Baltimore and Philadelphia. The road may not pass them directly, so check how far off your route they are.
Talula's Table
Market and cafe on State Street by day; at night a single farm table seats one party for a long tasting dinner.
Longwood Gardens
Former du Pont estate garden; for A Longwood Christmas it lights its outdoor trees and fills the conservatory with decorated firs.
Winterthur
Henry Francis du Pont's country estate and museum of American decorative arts, dressed for the Yuletide tour in winter.
Hotel du Pont
Grand 1913 hotel in downtown Wilmington, built by the du Pont company, about 25 minutes from Longwood.
Chaddsford Winery
Tasting room in a restored barn on US 1, one of the oldest and best-known wineries in Pennsylvania.
Brandywine Museum of Art
Converted mill on Brandywine Creek with three generations of Wyeth paintings and a large model railroad at Christmas.
Hank's Place
Small roadside diner at the Chadds Ford crossroads, a longtime breakfast stop near the Brandywine Museum.
Before you leave Baltimore
One full day: Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor by day, crab cakes, then Fells Point bars at night.
On this curated route
Where Baltimore → Philadelphia sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Philadelphia to Baltimore is the same 144 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore high | 4° | 5° | 11° | 18° | 23° | 28° | 31° | 30° | 27° | 20° | 13° | 6° |
| Philadelphia high | 4° | 5° | 10° | 17° | 22° | 27° | 30° | 30° | 26° | 19° | 13° | 7° |
| Baltimore rain | 70 | 71 | 85 | 94 | 106 | 117 | 114 | 106 | 113 | 109 | 81 | 96 |
| Philadelphia rain | 78 | 78 | 100 | 97 | 96 | 121 | 124 | 121 | 102 | 110 | 90 | 111 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Philadelphia month guides.
Baltimore to Philadelphia: questions travelers ask
How far is Baltimore from Philadelphia?
Baltimore is about 144 km (90 mi) from Philadelphia in a straight line, with Philadelphia to the north-east. By road, we estimate 173–202 km (107–125 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
An estimated 1 h 45 min – 3 h, assuming 173–202 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
What is there to see between Baltimore and Philadelphia?
Near the straight-line path we have 7 places from our curated guides, including Talula's Table (Kennett Square), Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square), Winterthur (Kennett Square), Hotel du Pont (Kennett Square). The road may not pass them directly, so check the detour.
Which itineraries include the trip from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
Our Capital Cities Corridor itinerary includes this leg. Capital Cities Corridor runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Mar – Jun.
Onward from Philadelphia
Getting to Baltimore
Guides for both ends
- Baltimore travel guide
- Baltimore weather best time to visit
- Philadelphia travel guide
- Philadelphia weather best time to visit
Philadelphia by month
Plan Baltimore → Philadelphia with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.