Delaware 100 continued the Pennsylvania 100 (Chadds Ford Road) numbering convention into the First State from 1944 to 2002. The road exists along two distinct segments in New Castle County. From the south end at Richardson Park northward to Delaware 141 at Greenville, Delaware 100 travels through built up areas of Elsmere, Wilmington, and adjacent suburbs. The state route follows Dupont Road northward from Delaware 4 to Lancaster Avenue at the extreme northwest corner of Wilmington. From there Delaware 48 & 100 overlap one mile to junction Delaware 141 (Centre Road). Delaware 100 departs Delaware 48 (Lancaster Pike) for a 1.5-mile cosigning with Delaware 141 along Centre and Barley Mill Roads to Montchanin Road at Greenville. The second distinction of Delaware 100 begins as the state highway moves away from the confluence of Delaware 52 & 141 northward via Montchanin Road. The two-lane roadway becomes rural in nature as it travels through Montchanin, Winterthur, and the adjacent Appalachian Piedmont to the Pennsylvania state line near Centerville.

Delaware 100 followed Dupont Road between Lancaster Pike (Delaware 48) and Kennett Pike (Delaware 52) originally through north Wilmington. In 1989 the highway saw relocation onto Delaware 48 and Delaware 141 to the north over the previously signed Delaware 100 Truck. The relocation of the state route occurred in an effort to move trucks and other through traffic away from the residential areas that Dupont Road passes through between Delaware 48 and 52.

Delaware 100 receives its number from Pennsylvania 100 to the north. However, the two highways no longer connect to one another as Pennsylvania 100 south of West Chester was decommissioned. The truncation occurred in an effort to dissuade trucks from using the former state highway between the state line and West Chester. Pennsylvania 100 followed narrow country type roads between Delaware and the Chester County seat. Between late 2002 and April 2003, PennDOT crews removed the signs without much in the way of publicity. Resolutions to remove the Pennsylvania 100 designation date as far back as 1990 and 1991. The West Chester Regional Planning Commission followed with their approval for the removal in 1999. In 2002 PennDOT followed suit and Pennsylvania 100 now ends at U.S. 202 in West Goshen Township. Some sections of the road remain signed as "Old Route 100".¹

Delaware 100 Mileage Table

Delaware 100 2002 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

• 12,131 - south Elsmere limits to Delaware 2/Wilmington Avenue
• 24,560 - North Dupont Road (Old Delaware 100) to Delaware 141 (Delaware 48 overlap)
• 41,291 - Barley Mill Plaza to Delaware 52/Kennett Pike (Delaware 141 overlap)
• 15,765 - Buck Road to Kirk Road
• 1,916 - Smith Bridge Road to Pennsylvania state line

Delaware 100 Terminus Collection

Southern Terminus
	The final one quarter mile of Delaware 100 partitions between the one-way couplet of Dupont Road (southbound) and Race Street (northbound). Delaware 100 ends within the Richardson Park community west of Wilmington at Delaware 4 (Maryland Avenue). A pair of end shields are posted at the southern terminus along with some unusual traffic lights for Dupont Road northbound across from Maryland Avenue. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Delaware 4 (Maryland Avenue) westbound on the approach to Delaware 100 northbound (Race Street) and Richardson Park. The four-lane arterial intersects the northbound beginning of Delaware 100 just one half mile west of the Wilmington city line at Broom Street. Canby Park encompasses the frontage of Maryland Avenue westbound ahead of the Brookside Drive intersection. Photo taken 04/24/04.
	Maryland Avenue westbound at Race Street and Delaware 100 northbound. Race Street becomes the northbound component of Dupont Road just two blocks to the north. From there Delaware 100 ascends over the CSX Railroad into the town of Elsmere at junction Delaware 2 (Kirkwood Highway). Photo taken 04/24/04.
	Dupont Road becomes southbound for Delaware 100's final two blocks between Race Street and Maryland Avenue. The state route intersects Delaware 4 at an angle, tying into the southern component of Dupont Road to the left. Note the unusual traffic signals for Dupont Road northbound featuring double red and green arrows indicating the one-way direction of Dupont Road north of Delaware 4. Photo taken 04/24/04.
	Westbound Delaware 4 at the south end of Delaware 100 (Dupont Road). Dupont Road provides four overall lanes between Richardson Park and the city of Wilmington. The state route skims the eastern reaches of Elsmere at Delaware 2 (Kirkwood Highway) and eastern terminus of Delaware 34 (Faulkland Road) between the Elsmere and Wilmington corporate lines. Photo taken 05/01/04.
	Descending to the northbound beginning of Delaware 100 (Race Street) in Richardson Park. Delaware 100 represents the main north-south route through the town of Elsmere. A four-lane divided bridge sweeps the state route over the CSX Railroad tracks between Howard Street and Delaware 2 (Wilmington Avenue). The old Dupont Road shadows the bridge along the northbound side. Photo taken 05/01/04.
Northern Terminus
	The Northern terminus occurs at the Pennsylvania state line where Delaware 100 (Montchanin Road) transitions into Chadds Ford Road (old Pennsylvania 100). There is no indication on Delaware 100 as to where the Pennsylvania state line is located. Depicted here is the Twaddell Mill Road intersection with Montchanin Road. Twaddell Mill Road ends at Delaware 100 just 200 yards south of the state line. Photo taken 12/19/01.

Delaware 100 Highway Guide

Delaware 100 Northbound
	Delaware 100 (Dupont Road) descends toward the intersection with Delaware 2 (Wilmington Avenue) from the CSX Railroad bridge in the town of Elsmere. Wilmington Avenue & Kirkwood Highway constitute a four-lane surface arterial between the city of Wilmington and Prices Corner through Elsmere. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Dupont Road northbound at junction Delaware 2 (Kirkwood Highway). To the east Delaware 2 ascends over the CSX Railroad bridge before entering Canby Park and city of Wilmington. Westward Delaware 2 bisects the heart of Elsmere en route to Prices Corner, the Pike Creek Valley, and Newark. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Delaware 100 northbound reassurance shield posted between Delaware 2 and New Road. New Road parallels Delaware 2 between Dupont Road and Sanders Lane in Elsmere. The two-lane roadway represents an original alignment of Delaware 2 before the CSX Railroad bridge was constructed. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Leaving the town of Elsmere on Delaware 100 (Dupont Road) northbound. The four-lane highway loses its concrete median as it migrates northward through older suburbs of northwest Wilmington. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Faulkland Road (Delaware 34) merges onto Delaware 100 at Silverbrook Memorial Park. The intersection composes the eastern terminus of Delaware 34. The east-west route skims north of Prices Corner and south of the Dupont Barley Mill site between Dupont Road and Duncan Road & Delaware 41. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	Dupont Road curves eastward for 1,000 feet or so between Delaware 34 and junction Delaware 48 (Lancaster Avenue). Pictured here is the northbound reassurance shield along the stretch between Faulkland Road and Wilmington city line. Photo taken 04/03/04.
	Junction shield for Delaware 48 posted on Delaware 100 northbound at Watson Avenue. Delaware 48 (Lancaster Avenue) provides the main arterial between Wilmington and Hockessin (Delaware 41). Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Delaware 100 joins Delaware 48 (Lancaster Avenue) between Dupont Road and Delaware 141 (Barley Mill Road). The tandem nip the northwestern corner of Wilmington between the north and south components of Dupont Road adjacent to the old Wilmington High School. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Northbound Delaware 100 at the merge with Delaware 48. To the right Delaware 48 sinks southward toward the Christina River valley and downtown Wilmington. The state route intersects Interstate 95 1.5 miles to the east at the intersections of Jackson and Adams Streets. Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Delaware 48 west & 100 northbound reassurance shields on Lancaster Avenue northbound between the split Dupont Roads. Former Delaware 100 turned right at the upcoming signal to follow Dupont Road between Delaware 48 and Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike). The north-south road still represents the northern reaches of the Wilmington city limits between Lancaster Avenue and Westover Hills. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	The split of Delaware 48 west and Delaware 100 northbound occurs at Delaware 141 (Barley Mill Road). Delaware 100 turns eastward onto Centre Road with Delaware 141 to Greenville and Montchanin Road. Delaware 48 continues along Lancaster Pike to Hockessin and Delaware 41 (Newport Gap Pike). Photo taken 04/22/04.
	Delaware 100 & 141 northbound reassurance shields on Centre Road posted after their merge at Delaware 48 (Lancaster Pike). Centre Road becomes Barley Mill Road at the upcoming intersection. Photo taken 03/28/04.
	Barley Mill Road upgrades to a freeway between Centre Road and Montchanin Road (Delaware 100). The 0.9-mile limited access highway passes underneath the Brandywine Valley Railroad on the approach to the Delaware 52 partial-cloverleaf interchange. Photo taken 03/28/04.
	Northbound at the Delaware 52 southbound off-ramp to Kennett Pike and the city of Wilmington. Kennett Pike carries four overall lanes to the city line at Rising Sun Lane. There Delaware 52 name changes to Pennsylvania Avenue and descends into downtown. Photo taken 03/28/04.
	Delaware 100 & 141 northbound at the loop ramp onto Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike) northbound. The state route enters Greenville just north of Delaware 100 & 141 before continuing northward to Centerville and Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania 52). Delaware 100 splits from Delaware 141 northbound at the next intersection for Montchanin Road. Photo taken 12/18/04.

A look at the 2004 reconstructed intersection of Delaware 100 & 141 with Montchanin Road east of Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike). The intersection sees the departure of Delaware 100 northbound onto Montchanin Road and the descent of Delaware 141 to the Tyler McConnell Bridge. A Delaware 92 Truck shield was installed upon completion of the project at the intersection. The truck route likely encompasses Delaware 141 north to U.S. 202 north to Naamans Road (Delaware 92). There are no Delaware 92 Truck shields posted along the route however. Photos taken 12/18/04.

	Delaware 100 (Montchanin Road) northbound as it leaves Delaware 141 (Barley Mill Road) for the hill country of northern New Castle County. Photo taken 12/18/04.
	The intersection of Delaware 100 (Montchanin Road) at Buck Road on northbound. Buck Road travels west from Montchanin Road to Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike) at the community of Greenville. Photo taken 12/18/04.
	Northbound reassurance shield posted after the intersection with Kirk and Rockland Roads at Montchanin. Kirk Road stems west from Delaware 100 to Delaware 82 (Campbell Road) at Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike). Rockland Road travels east to Adams Dam Road at Rockland and the Brandywine Creek. Photo taken 12/18/04.
	Delaware 100 (Montchanin Road) northbound at junction Delaware 92 (Thompsons Bridge Road) and Adams Dam Road at Brandywine Creek State Park. Photo taken 12/18/04.
	Montchanin Road turns to the left for the final 2.7 miles of the Delaware 100 between here and Chadds Ford Road at the Pennsylvania state line. Delaware 100 used to transition into Pennsylvania 100 (Chadds Ford Road) at the state border. However in 2001 PennDOT truncated Pennsylvania 100 from there northward to near West Chester at the request of area residents who complained about truck traffic using the signed state highway. Photo taken 12/18/04.
	Delaware 92 begins via Thompsons Bridge Road and travels 3.2 miles to junction U.S. 202 (Concord Pike). Adams Dam Road is a short two-lane road 0.75 miles in length between Delaware 92 & 100 and Rockland Road. Photo taken 12/18/04.
Delaware 100 Southbound
	Southbound reassurance shield posted on Montchanin Road after it departs the intersection of Thompson Bridge Road (Delaware 92) and Adams Dam Road. Delaware 100 is generally shoulderless as it passes through the unspoiled piedmont of northern Delaware between Wilmington and the Pennsylvania state line. Photo taken 08/01/04.
	Delaware 100 (Montchanin Road) southbound at Montchanin itself and the intersection with Kirk Road. Kirk Road stems eastward from the junction of Delaware 52 & 92 along the Wilmington Country Club boundary to Rockland Road. Kirk Road is eastbound only on the short stretch of pavement between Delaware 100 and Rockland Road. Photo taken 08/01/04.
	Monchanin Road (Delaware 100) southbound on the approach to Delaware 141 (Barley Mill Road) near Greenville. Delaware 100 turns southward onto Delaware 141 here for a 1.5 mile overlap to Delaware 48 (Lancaster Pike). Montchanin Road otherwise ends a short distance to the south at Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike). Photo taken 03/20/04.
	Delaware 100 & 141 (Barley Mill Road) southbound at the Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike). A partial-cloverleaf interchange facilitates the movements between Delaware 100 & 141 and the Kennett Pike along a short freeway section of Barley Mill Road. Delaware 52 northbound travels to Greenville, Centerville, and Fairville, Pennsylvania en route to junction U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike). Photo taken 04/26/04.
	Southbound Delaware 100 & 141 (Centre Road) approaching Delaware 48 (Lancaster Pike). Here Delaware 100 departs Delaware 141 for Delaware 48 east into the city of Wilmington. The state route originally followed Dupont Road northward from Lancaster Pike to Delaware 52 (Kennett Pike) and Montchanin Road). In 1989 however the state route saw realignment onto Delaware 48 and 141 to bypass a residential area on Dupont Road itself. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	Delaware 48 & 100 south shield assembly at Lancaster Pike on Delaware 141 south. Delaware 48 provides a four-lane corridor into central Wilmington from Centre Road and points north. Expansion of Lancaster Pike extends the four lane section of Delaware 48 northward to two miles to Hercules Road. The additional capacity accommodates growth of the Hockessin area of northern New Castle County. Delaware 48 ends at Delaware 41 (Newport Gap Pike) four miles northward outside of Hockessin itself. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	After departing Delaware 141 (Centre Road), Delaware 100 south & 48 east travel Lancaster Pike southward into Wilmington. The overlap consists of a four-lane arterial between Centre Road and Dupont Road. Photo taken 04/26/04.

Delaware 48 east & 100 southbound at North Dupont Road and the Wilmington city line. North Dupont Road was apart of Delaware 100 until 1989. The state highway saw relocation to Delaware 48 (Lancaster Avenue) and Delaware 141 (Centre Road) at that time to discourage through traffic from utilizing Dupont Road through the Westover Hills community. Photos taken 04/26/04.

	One block south of North Dupont Road is the split of Delaware 100 southbound from Delaware 48 eastbound (Lancaster Avenue). Pictured here is the southbound shield assembly minus the actual Delaware 100 shield. Delaware 48 & 100 always shared the block between the split Dupont Roads. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	A view of the same scene before the Delaware 100 shield disappeared. The four-lane roadway intersects the westbound beginning of Delaware 34 (Faulkland Road) in 0.2 miles before turning southward to Elsmere and junction Delaware 2 (Kirkwood Highway). Photo taken 10/10/01.
	Dupont Road southbound at the Delaware 100 south & 34 westbound split. Delaware 34 travels Faulkland Road westward to junction Delaware 141 (Centre Road), Centerville Road, Brandywine Springs Park, junction Delaware 41 (Newport Gap Pike) and Duncan Road. Photo taken 04/26/04.
	Delaware 34 (Faulkland Road) westbound as it leaves Delaware 100 (Dupont Road) north of Elsmere. Faulkland Road exists as a two-lane residential roadway between Dupont Road and Centerville Road. However between Centerville Road and Delaware 41 the route takes on a completely different character through a deep valley created by the Red Clay Creek. There Delaware 34 crosses the Wilmington & Western Railroad and Brandywine Springs Park. Photo taken 03/29/04.
	Southbound Delaware 100 (Dupont Road) at the Brandywine Valley Railroad underpass within the town of Elsmere. Forthcoming is the intersections with New Road and Delaware 2 (Wilmington Avenue). Photo taken 03/29/04.
	Junction Delaware 2 (Kirkwood Highway) on Delaware 100 southbound. Delaware 2 comprises a busy east-west arterial between Wilmington and Newark in northern New Castle County. The state route bisects the town of Elsmere between Prices Corner and Canby Park. Photo taken 03/29/04.

Sources:
1 - "Route 100 loses its way through West Chester." The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 9, 2003.

Offsite Links

• Delaware Roads - DE 100 (Steve Alpert)
• Pennsylvania 100 & PAHighways.com
• Pennsylvania 100 @ State-Ends.com
• PA-100 Chester County (Jeff Snyder)

Page Updated January 7, 2005.