Spanning 316.3 miles across Pennsylvania, this highway-focused journey connects Bensalem to Newtown in approximately 6 hours and 6 minutes. Since the entire trip takes place within the Northeast region, you will experience consistent infrastructure as you navigate from one side of the state to the other. Budget about $52 for fuel to cover the distance, which is entirely feasible as a single-day excursion if you get an early start. While the route is straightforward, you should prepare for a long day in the driver's seat. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this direct path offers a reliable, no-nonsense way to reach your destination.
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
158.2 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
261.7 mi
4h 45m
University Drive
13 mi
15m
Morgantown Road
8.8 mi
13m
PA 982
8 mi
13m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
Memorial Boulevard
4 mi
4m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
South Eighty Eight Road
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 261.7 mi, about 4h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Newtown, 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, PATPUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 276; PATP
262 mi·4 hr 45 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, UniontownUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·State Route 31
11
Continue on PA 31
0.1 mi·15 sec·Three Mile Hill
12
Turn left onto PA 982
8.0 mi·13 min·PA 982
13
Turn left onto US 119
4.0 mi·4 min·Memorial Boulevard
14
Turn straight onto US 119
0.6 mi·39 sec·Blackstone Road
15
Merge onto US 119
0.5 mi·33 sec·Morrell Avenue
16
Turn slight right onto US 119
13 mi·15 min·University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119
3.9 mi·4 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
Toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Expressway, Point Marion, Morgantown WV
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Fairchance, Smithfield
19
Turn right onto Big Six Road
0.2 mi·17 sec·Big Six Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 119
1.5 mi·2 min·Morgantown Road
21
Continue on US 119
0.9 mi·1 min·Morgantown Street
22
Continue on US 119
7.3 mi·10 min·Morgantown Road
23
Turn right onto PA 88
0.3 mi·27 sec·Home Street
24
Continue on PA 88
2.6 mi·3 min·South Eighty Eight Road
25
Turn straight onto Holbert Stretch
1.6 mi·2 min·Holbert Stretch
26
At end of road, turn right onto Bobtown Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bobtown Road
27
Turn left onto Budapest Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Budapest Road
28
Continue on Budapest Road
67 ft·2 sec·Budapest Road
29
Arrive at destination
Budapest Road
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels steady, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the 316.3-mile trek. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive in Newtown well before the end of the day. Since you are spending nearly 90% of your time on major highways, keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the long 261.7-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. If you find the six-hour duration daunting, remember that you have the flexibility to adjust your pace since this is a one-day trip. Use your single planned stop strategically to refuel both your vehicle and yourself to maintain focus on the road.
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 158.2 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.7 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 2h 55m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newtown, 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 316.3 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 261.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 297.4 — 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
7
264.9 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
6
297.4 mi into trip|~5h 37m in|US 119 / Mon/Fayette Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119 / Mon/Fayette Expressway toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Expressway, Point Marion, Morgantown WV
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Express...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.44 one way
$104.88 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$57.43
$114.86
premium
$4.93
$61.34
$122.68
diesel
$5.61
$69.84
$139.67
Estimated Tolls: $34.02
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(261.7 mi)$34.02
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
$52
Tolls
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.21
$15.18
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.68
$12.65
EV Truck/SUV
126.5
1
$44.28
$20.24
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Bensalem, PA
Morning
in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newtown, PA
Morning
in Newtown on Sunday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
158 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
9 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 6m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 130.9
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...
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...
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 294.5
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 87.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed transit experience, as 88% of this trip is dedicated to highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 261.7-mile stretch of the journey. The remainder of your time behind the wheel involves transitioning onto University Drive and Morgantown Road to reach your final destination. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains brisk and consistent for most of the six-hour duration. You will find that the road maintains a predictable flow, making it ideal for those who prefer steady interstate travel over winding backroads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and University Drive. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 316.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bensalem, PA and Newtown, PA, road signs point toward Uniontown, Point Marion and Morgantown.
Newtown is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by beautiful farmlands, this small town was also the location where the movie Signs was filmed in part. It is a cute town with plenty of places to visit, eat and see.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 6m. Total distance: 316.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.02 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Newtown, 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: 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newtown, PA before the return drive.
