North Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Bensalem, PA to Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
311.5 mi
501 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bensalem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Bensalem, PA to Bethel Park, PA is 311.5 miles and takes about 6h 1m via Knights Road, Street Road, and US 1 North, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from its eastern edge to the southwestern corner. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, meaning you'll be passing through towns and local areas rather than high-speed highway cruising. Given the duration and profile, it's a feasible same-day trip, though planning for potential local traffic is advisable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155.7 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 284.7 mi | 5h 9m |
| Lincoln Way | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| Lebanon Church Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Lincoln Highway | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Street Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Broughton Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Curry Hollow Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West 5th Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 284.7 mi, about 5h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Municipality of Bethel Park, PA.
1
Start on this road
135 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Knights Road
261 ft
·
7 sec
·
Knights Road
3
Turn left onto PA 132
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Street Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
5
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 276, PATP
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 276; PATP
285 mi
·
5 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 30
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto Lincoln Way
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Way
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue
14
Turn straight onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lysle Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Jerome Street Bridge
16
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Avenue
18
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Richland Avenue
19
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard
20
Turn slight left onto Yellow Belt
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Lebanon Church Road
21
Continue on Yellow Belt
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Curry Hollow Road
22
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Brownsville Road
23
Turn right onto Broughton Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Broughton Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto Baptist Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Baptist Road
25
Continue on South Park Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Park Road
26
Turn left onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
27
Turn left onto Oak Street
258 ft
·
11 sec
·
Oak Street
28
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
For this 311.5-mile drive, leaving Bensalem, PA in the morning should allow you to reach Bethel Park, PA with ample daylight, given the estimated 6h 1m duration. With no highway segments, breaks can be taken in any of the towns along the way, but planning for potential delays in more populated areas is wise. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aim to start early to account for the surface road nature of the entire route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.7 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.7 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 69 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Municipality of Bethel Park, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bensalem, 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 Bensalem, PA
This is one driving day of about 311.5 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Bensalem, 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 284.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from Bensalem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
South Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
King of Prussia Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Valley Forge Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
New Stanton Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Bomansville Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 288.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Knights Road
Turn left onto Knights Road
Navigation decision point
7
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
8
287.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
7
288.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.82 one way
$109.64 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $59.95 | $119.89 |
| premium | $5.23 | $64.09 | $128.18 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $75.78 | $151.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $37.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(284.7 mi)
$37.01
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
$55
Tolls
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$117–$142
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.71 | $14.95 |
| Efficient EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.26 | $12.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.6 | 1 | $43.61 | $19.94 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Bensalem, PA
Morning in Bensalem on Monday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
N 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
Morning in Municipality of Bethel Park on Monday
Local time
6:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
65°F
King, PA
156 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 128.9
View on nps.gov
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 32.2
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 236.3
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 85.9
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
near mile 21.5
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 21.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 0% highway driving, meaning you will be on surface roads for the entire 311.5 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is not specified, but expect continuous engagement with local traffic patterns and intersections. You'll notice a steady progression through various towns and communities as you make your way across the state on a mix of Knights Road, Street Road, and US 1 North.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Way. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Knights Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 311.5 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: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,104 ft
104 ft
Total Climb
2,673 ft
Total Descent
1,570 ft
Highest Point
2,104 ft
~244.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,000 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bensalem, PA to Municipality of Bethel Park, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mckeesport along the way.
Mckeesport
287.9 mi in
|
~5h 16m
About the Cities
Starting in Bensalem, PA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Little Jerusalem AME Church — church building in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States
- • Andalusia — historic mansion
- • St. Elizabeth's Convent — historic church in Pennsylvania, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 311.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $37.01 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Municipality of Bethel Park, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Flight 93 National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Municipality of Bethel Park, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
More trips to Municipality of Bethel Park, PA
Explore more options from Bensalem, PA or browse trips ending in Municipality of Bethel Park, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.