Dover to St. Georges

Highway guide for Delaware 1 northbound from Dover to St. Georges.

Delaware 1 Northbound
	Delaware 1 (Bay Road) bends northwest beyond the split with Delaware 9 (Bayside Drive) along the boundary of Dover Air Force Base. The first three off-ramps of the freeway serve the military facility. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	The SR 1 Turnpike begins two miles north of the left-hand turn for the Dover Tilcon plant. This section provides a seamless link between south Dover and junction Interstate 95 near Wilmington. Photo taken 08/05/07.

Delaware 1 upgrades to a freeway at Dover Air Force Base on the southern fringes of Dover. The tolled freeway begins north of the Exit 95 split with Bay Road.

One half mile south of the commercial gate to Dover A.F.B. on Delaware 1 (Bay Road) northbound. The gate opened to traffic in 2006 or 2007 becoming northbound-only Exit 92. Southbound commercial trucks must travel all the way to Bowers Beach Road and u-turn there to access the gate from Delaware 1 north. Photos taken by Adam Froehlig (02/13/04) & AARoads (08/05/07).

	Exit 92 consists of a short set of ramps linking the northbound side of Delaware 1 with the commercial gate and Arnold Drive within Dover A.F.B. A diamond interchange serves the Dover A.F.B. main gate (13th Street) one half mile to the north. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	A second reminder is given to motorists of the transition of Delaware 1 from the Bay Road freeway into the tolled SR 1 Turnpike mainline beginning one mile south of the Exit 95 interchange. Photo taken 08/05/07.

Originally a traffic light governed the intersection of Old Lebanon Road and 13th Street/Dover A.F.B. main gate and Bay Road (then U.S. 113 & Delaware 1). After the completion of the mainline SR 1 Turnpike, construction shifted to upgrading Bay Road into a freeway southward that included upgrading the Old Lebanon Road intersection into the Exit 93 interchange. Old Lebanon Road serves AFB housing to the west of the freeway. Photos taken by Adam Froehlig (02/13/04) & AARoads (08/05/07).

	There is no direct access from Delaware 1 (Bay Road) northbound onto the westbound Puncheon Run Connector to U.S. 13. Therefore motorists bound for U.S. 13 must use Exit 95 onto the continuation of Bay Road (former U.S. 113) north to its ramp to the connector. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 1 splits with Bay Road at Exit 95 (junction Delaware 10) for the beginning of the SR 1 Turnpike. Bay Road continues northward as an unnumbered and divided four-lane roadway through south Dover to junction U.S. 13 near the state capitol. Photo taken 08/05/07.

Diagrammatical overhead for Exit 95 to Delaware 10 (Lebanon Road) west and old U.S. 113 (Bay Road) north. The upcoming off-ramp departs the SR 1 Turnpike as the original U.S. 113 & Delaware 1 overlap of Bay Road. Delaware 10 ends at Bay Road within the Exit 95 partial-cloverleaf interchange. The east-west state route arcs west to Camden (pop. 2,100) and Wyoming (pop. 1,141) south of Dover. Note the carbon copy sign replacement that did not even bother to redesign the low hanging "last exit before toll" tab. Photos taken by Adam Froehlig (02/13/04) & AARoads (08/05/07).

	A two-lane off-ramp departs Delaware 1 for Bay Road north and Delaware 10 (Lebanon Road). Delaware 10 constitutes a four-lane divided highway westward to U.S. 13 (DuPont Highway) at Camden. Lebanon Road east continues from Bay Road to the north gate of Dover A.F.B. Delaware 1 northbound sees no exits between Delaware 10 (Lebanon Road) and Exit 104 (Scarborough Road), a distance of 6.3 miles. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Now on the tolled portion of the SR 1 Turnpike, travelers continue two miles to the first of two main line toll plazas. Traffic from the Puncheon Run Connector merges onto Delaware 1 north via a partial "Y" interchange ahead of the toll barrier. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Construction to add high speed EZ Pass lanes saw completion at the SR 1 Turnpike Dover toll plaza on Memorial Day of 2004. The addition of these lanes allow EZ Pass holders an unimpeded pass through the toll plaza via the middlemost lanes. Pictured here is a new diagrammatical overhead installed for the new configuration at the toll barriers. Photo taken 08/05/07.

	EZ Pass holders are afforded two through lanes to the left of the main toll plaza. Scanners interact with EZ Pass transponders to deduct the appropriate toll as vehicles continue at speed through the plaza. All cash paying customers are directed to the traditional toll booths on the right. High Occupancy Vehicles are also directed to the traditional toll booths on the right. The reasoning behind that involves discounted toll fares that EZ Pass would not know to cover for HOV based vehicles. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Tolls are $1.00 per passenger vehicle during non-peak periods and $2.00 during the weekends for the Smyrna-Dover Bypass portion of Delaware 1 as of October 1, 2007. The main plaza exists between Delaware 8 (Exit 98) and Scarborough Road (Exit 104). High speed EZ Pass lanes opened to traffic on Memorial Day 2004 and the overall Dover bypass opened on December 21, 1993. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	A view of the modified toll plaza from the innermost high speed EZ pass lanes. EZ Pass account holders may travel up to 65 mph through the two innermost lanes. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Next in line for northbound travelers is the Exit 104 trumpet interchange to U.S. 13 at Scarborough Road. Since there is no access to Delaware 8 directly from Exit 98 (southbound exit only), Exit 104 via U.S. 13 south or Scarborough Road west to Delaware 15 south are the most direct routes from Delaware 1 north to Delaware 8. Dover is home to Delaware State University (home of the Hornets), whose main campus is located just south of Exit 104's connection with U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway). Photo taken 08/05/07.
	A pair of Delaware 1 reassurance markers line the northbound lanes of the SR 1 Turnpike beyond the Dover main line toll plaza. Overall the turnpike is well signed with Delaware 1 shields. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Drawing to within one half mile of the Exit 104 trumpet interchange on Delaware 1 north. Traffic utilizing this interchange intersects U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) within one half mile to the west. The access road originally ended at U.S. 13 but saw extension to Delaware 15 in the intervening years after the SR 1 Turnpike completion around Dover. The access road is named Scarborough Road and once was touted as Alternate Delaware 8. New guide signs for Exit 104 now include Scarborough Road in lieu of "W. Dover Ind. Area". Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Original guide sign posted for Exit 104 along Delaware 1 northbound featuring West Dover Industrial Area. Auxiliary guide signs display various attractions and significant facilities within the capital city such as the Delaware State Troopers Museum and State Police Troop, the Delaware Agricultural Museum, the Biggs Museum of American Art, Museum Square, the Public Archives, and the State House Museum. Photo taken by Jonathan Lebowitz (08/02).
	Delaware 1 northbound at the Exit 104 ramp departure to U.S. 13 (DuPont Highway). U.S. 13 southbound serves the Dover Mall and the Dover Downs International Raceway, Casino, and Horse Racing. Other area colleges served by Exit 104 include Wesley College, the Delaware Technical & Community College Terry campus and Wilmington University Dover campus. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 1 continues another nine miles north to Smyrna from Exit 104. The Smyrna bypass of the Turnpike opened two days before the Dover bypass section opened to traffic. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Exit 114, like Exit 104, consists of a trumpet interchange and access road west to parallel U.S. 13 (DuPont Highway). The forthcoming interchange serves the growing city of Smyrna and its neighboring town of Camden. U.S. 13 travels north into central Smyrna where it intersects Delaware 300 south and Delaware 6, two state routes that join Smyrna with Camden and the state of Maryland. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	One half mile south of the Exit 114 off-ramp to U.S. 13 (DuPont Highway) south of Smyrna at the Big Oak Road under crossing. Points of interest referenced from Exit 114 include the Smyrna Opera House and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located to the east along Delaware 9. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Drivers bound for Smyrna depart Delaware 1 northbound at Exit 114. U.S. 13 constitutes the main commercial strip through Smyrna and a growing residential corridor southward to Dover. Delaware 6 continues east from Smyrna to junction Delaware 9 and Woodland Beach on the Delaware River. Delaware 300 joins Smyrna with Maryland 300 and U.S. 301 west of Sudlersville. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Mileage sign posted ahead of the Smyrna-Leipsic Road overpass along Delaware 1 northbound. Delaware Memorial Bridge and Wilmington are consistently referenced on distance signs from Smyrna northward. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) crosses paths with the SR 1 Turnpike for the first time at the Exit 119 folded-cloverleaf interchange. Both highways span Duck Creek north of Smyrna into New Castle County. U.S. 13 remains a rural drive northward from the county line to Odessa. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	A full service rest area and tourist information center resides along the northbound side of U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) adjacent to the Exit 119 interchange. There are no rest or service areas along the SR 1 Turnpike, so the north Smyrna facility is the only state-run facility serving the toll road. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 1 passes over Paddock Road one half mile south of the Exit 119 loop ramp onto U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway). Exit 119 at present provides the only access point for Townsend along Delaware 1 northbound. Interests to the rural town should use U.S. 13 north to Delaware 71 (Summit Bridge Road). Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Northbound at the Exit 119 ramp departure to U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway). U.S. 13 remains on a close parallel alignment between Smyrna northward to Odessa. However Exit 119 is the last off-ramp between the two communities. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 1 northbound reassurance marker posted beyond the Exit 119 on-ramp. Heavy traffic on weekends already provide congestion on the four-lane highway. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Another northbound mileage sign posted along the longest exit less stretch of the SR 1 Turnpike. Note that Wilmington and the Delaware Memorial Bridge are signed as the same mileage, which is wrong given that all of the other signs show the city as one mile further north. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Spanning the Blackbird Creek along Delaware 1 northbound near the settlement of Blackbird and U.S. 13 junction with Delaware 71 (Summit Bridge Road). An interchange was originally planned between Delaware 71 and the turnpike but was later scrapped due to funding issues. The interchange remains planned but it is unclear when construction will proceed. Local area residents have protested somewhat under the thought that a new exit will spur development in a predominantly rural area. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Moderate traffic travels along the SR 1 Turnpike south of Odessa. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Nearing the town of Odessa along Delaware 1 northbound at the Pine Tree Road under crossing. Development surrounding Odessa in recent years has been exceptional as noted with the new homes east of the turnpike along U.S. 13. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) and Delaware 1 travel directly side by side between Fieldsboro Road and Chestnut Lane south of Odessa. Portions of the original DuPont Parkway were relocated due to the construction of the SR 1 Turnpike here. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Entering the the Odessa Bypass portion of the SR 1 Turnpike one mile south of Exit 136. The toll highway snakes to the west of Odessa itself and intersects Delaware 299 via a diamond interchange at Exit 136. When the turnpike finally opened around Odessa, it was welcomed with open arms as the notorious stretch of U.S. 13 through the small town and its associated traffic light and 25 mph speed limit could now be averted. During the summer months this town, although somewhat quaint in nature, was a hindrance to beach and other through traffic along U.S. 13 (Dupont Parkway). Placards on approach signage still reference "last exit before toll" from when the Odessa bypass began at U.S. 13 south of town (the short stretch between the south end and Exit 136 was toll free). Photo taken 08/05/07.
	New homes rise along the Delaware 1 southbound frontage near the Exit 136 interchange with Delaware 299 (Middletown Odessa Road). Area growth has consumed much of the farmland between Odessa and Middletown. Part of this growth can be attributed to the accessibility between Wilmington and south New Castle County by the SR 1 Turnpike. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Exit 136 carries drivers onto Delaware 299 (Middletown Odessa Road) just west of the Odessa town limits. Delaware 299 overall travels east from Odessa to junction Delaware 9 at Mathews Corners and west to Maryland 282 near U.S. 301 and Warwick. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Delaware 1 curves northeastward from Delaware 299 over U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) ahead of the Drawyer Creek. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Mileage sign posted beyond the U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) under crossing north of Odessa. Delaware 1 remains east of U.S. 13 northward to Boyds Corner. U.S. 13 represents a growing suburban corridor northward between Odessa and Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road). Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Nearing the Exit 142 diamond interchange with Pole Bridge Road at Boyd's Corner on Delaware 1 northbound. Pole Bridge Road links the turnpike with junction U.S. 13 (DuPont Parkway) and Delaware 896 (Boyds Corner Road) to the west and Port Penn Road to the east near Thorntown and Port Penn along the Delaware River. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	What was once a quiet rural area has succumbed to the influence of suburban sprawl. Exit 142 for the southern terminus of Delaware 896 and U.S. 13 resides amid burgeoning development of the Wilmington metropolitan area. The junction of U.S. 13 and Delaware 896 facilitates traffic to the new subdivisions in the area and those bound for U.S. 301 (via Delaware 896 north) at Mount Pleasant to the west and along U.S. 13 nearby. Photo taken 08/05/07.
	Northbound at the Exit 142 off-ramp to Pole Bridge Road for Delaware 896 north (west) and U.S. 13. Delaware 896 in conjunction with U.S. 301 south serves growing Middletown and north serves Summit Bridge. There are no further exits south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, so those destined for St. Georges should use Exit 142 onto U.S. 13 north. Photo taken 08/05/07.

Page Updated October 25, 2007.