Penn: fly or drive?
Should you fly or drive to visit Penn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? The nearest airport is PHL (Philadelphia Intl, 18 min from campus). Here's how to decide based on where you're coming from.
Fri, Sep 11 → Sun, Sep 13, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults
2 nights
2 adults
The short answer
It depends. Drive if you're under 4 hours away; fly if over 7. Between 4 and 7 hours, drive for two colleges (the car's flexibility wins) and fly for one (the time savings wins).
Nearest airport
Airport
PHL
Philadelphia Intl
Drive to campus
18 min
without traffic
Backup airport
EWR
Newark Liberty
Fly-in program
No
standard visit
Drive times from major metros
| From | Distance | Drive time | Recommend |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 96 mi | 1 h 58 m | Drive |
| Chicago, IL | 781 mi | 15 h 57 m | Fly |
| Atlanta, GA | 784 mi | 15 h 60 m | Fly |
| Dallas, TX | 1529 mi | 31 h 13 m | Fly |
| Los Angeles, CA | 2816 mi | 57 h 29 m | Fly |
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Hotels in Philadelphia
44 hotels within 3 mi of Penn
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Flights to PHL
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