State Route 12

SR 12 constitutes a rural route leading northeast from the state line at Whiteleysburg to Felton. East from Felton, the state route continues across agricultural areas and by newer suburban development to western reaches of Frederica. SR 12 joins SR 1 with Frederica from the north as Bay Road bypasses the town to the east.
Delaware State Route 12 Guides
The west end of SR 12 ties into MD 314 (Whiteleysburg Road) west to Greensboro. An older alignment remains posted along Two State Road, as it bypasses the intersection of Burnite Mill Road. Whiteleysburg Road provides a through route southeast to SR 14 and Harrington, while SR 12 shifts northward along Burnite Mill Road to Hughes Crossroads and Hollandsville.
Following Main Street, SR 12 runs through the town of Felton and intersects U.S. 13 (Dupont Highway) by Lake Forest North Elementary. Midstate Road then leads SR 12 east 4.3 miles to Johnny Cake Landing Road, just ahead of Frederica. Through the Frederica town center, the state route separates into a one-way couplet of David Street east and Front Street west.
Frederica Road turns SR 12 north to end at SR 1 (Bay Road). Costing $6.9 million, a new overpass and ramp system along the northbound lanes of Bay Road were added to replace the at-grade intersection with Frederica Road. Construction ran from February 2010 to June 28, 2011 (DelDOT, 2011). A similar grade separation project was underway at the south end of Frederica by Fall 2016.
The 1937-38 Delaware Official Highway Map shows SR 12 on the same alignment from Whiteleysburg to the Frederica town center. The route ended at U.S. 113 and Frederica Road until at least 1964, when the Frederica Bypass was constructed. Following the relocation of U.S. 113 away from Frederica, SR 12 was extended northeast along Frederica Road to meet the US highway while Frederica Road south was unnumbered.
Delaware State Route 12 - 2015 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
- 1,276 - Maryland state line to Sandtown Road
- 5,773 - Sandtown Road to west Felton limits
- 3,102 - U.S. 13 to SR 15
- 6,329 - David and Front Street couplet
- 1,855 - north Frederica limits to SR 1
Whiteleysburg Road (Rd 59) intersects Whites Lane (Rd 452) west and Burnite Mill Road east, 0.02 miles beyond the east end of MD 314 and the state line at Whiteleysburg. Burnite Mill Road (Rd 452) east becomes SR 12 at adjacent 2 State Road.
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SR 12 turns east from Whiteleysburg toward Felton while Whiteleysburg Road (Rd 59) extends 7.88 miles southeast to SR 14 at Fleming Corners. A welcome sign appears east of MD 314 and Greensboro.
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The city of Harrington lies eight miles to the southeast of Whiteleysburg via Whiteleysburg Road (Rd 59) and SR 14 (Vernon Road) east.
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Whiteleysburg Road (Rd 59) west reaches the rural community of Whiteleysburg at the crossroads with Whites Lane / Burnite Mill Road (Rd 452) adjacent to the west end of SR 12 (2 State Road).
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SR 12 turns east onto Burnite Mill Road from 2 State Road at Whites Lane, 0.06 miles east of Whiteleysburg Road.
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SR 12 follows Burnite Mill Road east from 2 State Road and Whiteleysburg 9.3 miles onto Main Street in the town of Felton.
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References:
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). (2011, June 24). TRAFFIC ALERT - Opening of Route 1, North Frederica Overpass. [Press release].
Photo Credits:
- Alex Nitzman: 12/22/24, 12/27/25
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Page Updated Thursday January 15, 2026.
