Delaware Route 100

Delaware Route 100, often called DE 100, is a state highway located in New Castle County, Delaware. It stretches from DE 4 near the town of Elsmere all the way to the border with Pennsylvania near Montchanin, where the road continues into Pennsylvania as State Route 3100, also known as Chadds Ford Road. Along its path, DE 100 passes through many suburban neighborhoods in the northern part of New Castle County.

The route meets several other roads along the way. It crosses DE 2 in Elsmere and then shares parts of its path with DE 48 and DE 141 from just west of Wilmington up to Greenville. In Greenville, drivers can switch to DE 52 through an interchange. After leaving Greenville, DE 100 continues on its own until it meets DE 92 in Montchanin before reaching the Pennsylvania border.

DE 100 was first established in the 1930s, originally running from DE 52 to the Pennsylvania border, where it linked up with Pennsylvania Route 100 (PA 100). However, in 2003, the southern end of PA 100 was shortened, so it no longer reaches the state line. By the 1970s, DE 100 had been extended southward to connect with DE 4. Eventually, by 1990, the route was adjusted to include sections of DE 48 and DE 141.

Route description

Delaware Route 100, or DE 100, is a state highway in New Castle County, Delaware. It begins at an intersection with DE 4 near the city of Wilmington, heading north through suburban and residential areas. The road passes through the town of Elsmere and continues northwest as South Dupont Road, a wider road with divided lanes.

As DE 100 continues, it meets other roads and passes through both wooded and commercial areas. It joins DE 48 briefly before splitting off and continuing north. The route goes through Montchanin and near the Winterthur Museum, ending at the border with Pennsylvania, where the road continues as SR 3100. Some parts of DE 100 see heavy traffic, especially near intersections with other major roads.

History

The Dupont Road part of this route was built a long time ago in the 1800s by the DuPont Company. They used it to carry important materials to the Christina River for shipping. This was because the city of Wilmington had rules against bringing certain materials through the city after a big accident in 1854.

By 1920, the road we now call DE 100 was just a local country road. It became a state highway in the 1930s, and by 1938 it officially started in Greenville and went up to the border with Pennsylvania. Later, in 1971, the road was extended further south. In 2002, part of DE 100 was named a special scenic highway, and in 2005 it got even more recognition.

In 2015, a bridge that carried DE 100 over a railroad in Elsmere had to be closed for quick fixes, but it was fixed and reopened soon after.

Major intersections

The entire route of Delaware Route 100 is located in New Castle County.

Location	mi	km	Destinations
Elsmere	0.00	0.00	DE 4 (Maryland Avenue)
	0.73	1.17	DE 2 (Kirkwood Highway) – Wilmington
Wilmington	1.64	2.64	DE 48 east (Lancaster Avenue)
	2.67	4.30	DE 48 west (Lancaster Pike) – Hockessin, Lancaster DE 141 south (Centre Road) – Newport
Greenville	3.86	6.21	DE 52 – Greenville, Wilmington
	4.14	6.66	DE 141 north (Barley Mill Road) Montchanin Road to DE 52
Montchanin	6.28	10.11	DE 92 east (Thompson Bridge Road)
	8.99	14.47	SR 3100 north (Chadds Ford Road)
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus       Incomplete access