Traveling from Abbottstown to Bristol covers a 132.7-mile stretch that typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within Pennsylvania and is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to complete the transit. The route relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 30, and US 222 to keep you moving efficiently through the Northeast. Since the drive is manageable in one go, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.4 miles from Abbottstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
70.6 mi
1h 17m
US 30
28.6 mi
41m
US 222
15.8 mi
19m
Lincoln Highway
8.4 mi
14m
I 83
2.2 mi
3m
West Market Street
1.8 mi
3m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
North Hills Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 70.6 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abbottstown, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on this road
165 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn left
64 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto West Fleet Street
130 ft·11 sec·West Fleet Street
4
Turn left onto PA 194
197 ft·5 sec·South Queen Street
5
Enter roundabout onto US 30
12 ft·0 sec·East King Street
6
Continue on US 30
0.2 mi·29 sec·East King Street
7
Continue on US 30
8.4 mi·14 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 30
1.8 mi·3 min·West Market Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 30
5.8 mi·10 min·US 30
Toward US 30 East: LancasterUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 83 South: BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 83
2.2 mi·3 min·I 83
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward PA 462 East
13
Turn right onto South Belmont Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Belmont Street
14
Turn right onto PA 462
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Market Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto North Hills Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Hills Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 30
23 mi·31 min·US 30
17
Take the exit onto US 222
16 mi·19 min·US 222
Toward US 222 North: Reading
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: Denver, PA Turnpike
19
Turn right onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.2 mi·25 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
22
Merge onto I 76; PATP
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 42Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
24
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft·8 sec·Pennsylvania Turnpike
25
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft·8 sec
Toward US 13 South: BristolUse the right lane.
26
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
27
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Avenue
29
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pond Street
30
Turn left
91 ft·12 sec
31
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 132.7-mile journey, plan for at least one stop to break up the nearly three-hour duration. Because the majority of this route is highway-based, keep a close eye on traffic patterns along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as congestion can impact your travel time. Leaving during off-peak hours will help you maintain a smoother pace across those long, uninterrupted stretches. Since you only need one stop, pick a location that allows you to refuel comfortably, keeping that $22 fuel estimate in mind. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush the drive if you find a convenient spot to stretch your legs mid-trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.4 miles from Abbottstown, PA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 29 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristol, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abbottstown, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Abbottstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 132.7 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Abbottstown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 70.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 131.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip|~19m in|US 30
Take the exit onto US 30 toward US 30 East: Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 30 East: Lancaster
6
16.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 83 South: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 83 South: Baltimore
7
19 mi into trip|~33m in|PA 462 / East Market Street
Turn right onto PA 462 / East Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|Colonel Howard Boulevard
Turn right onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP
8
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 13 South: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.00 one way
$44.00 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$24.09
$48.19
premium
$4.93
$25.74
$51.47
diesel
$5.61
$29.30
$58.60
Estimated Tolls: $9.18
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(70.6 mi)$9.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
EV Truck/SUV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Abbottstown, PA
Late night
in Abbottstown on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Late night
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Akron, PA
66 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 109.8
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 109.8
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 86.9
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 50.3
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, including a 70.6-mile segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that allows for steady cruising. While you start on local routes like US 30 and US 222, the character of the drive quickly shifts into a more structured, high-speed interstate experience. Expect a consistent pace as you transition between these primary roads, making the journey feel purposeful and direct. It is a straightforward trek designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near US 30.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 132.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (PA 462 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
632 ft23 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
935 ft
Highest Point
632 ft
~66.4 mi in
Elevation Range
609 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Abbottstown, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Pa Turnpike.
Patp
58.3 mi in|~1h 25m
Pa Turnpike
58.3 mi in|~1h 25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 132.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.18 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bristol, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (PA 462 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bristol, PA before heading back.
