Bensalem, PA to Punxsutawney, PA is 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 31m via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip begins in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania and heads northwest, offering a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. It's a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend a good portion of your time on well-maintained highways before transitioning to more local routes as you approach 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
147.7 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
175.5 mi
3h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17.1 mi
18m
East Main Street
13.4 mi
16m
Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
3.1 mi
3m
Street Road
1.9 mi
3m
North Brady Street
1.9 mi
2m
Bee Line Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 175.5 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,067 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,528
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Punxsutawney, 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
17 mi·18 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
15
Merge onto I 80
175 mi·3 hr 10 min·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
17
Turn left onto PA 255
0.1 mi·15 sec·Bee Line Highway
18
Turn left
53 ft·6 sec
19
Turn right
57 ft·6 sec
20
Turn right
52 ft·5 sec
21
Turn right onto PA 255
1.5 mi·2 min·Bee Line Highway
22
Continue on PA 255
1.4 mi·2 min·East DuBois Avenue
23
Turn left onto US 219
0.6 mi·49 sec·Liberty Boulevard
24
Continue on US 219
1.9 mi·2 min·North Brady Street
25
Continue on US 219
0.2 mi·17 sec·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
26
Turn right onto US 119
2.9 mi·3 min·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
27
Continue on US 119
1.0 mi·1 min·Sykes Street
28
Turn right onto US 119
13 mi·16 min·East Main Street
29
Continue on US 119
0.2 mi·18 sec·Hampton Avenue
30
Turn right onto US 119; PA 36
0.2 mi·15 sec·East Mahoning Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 119; PA 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Bensalem in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can either push through or plan a brief break midway. The route has a $50 fuel cost estimate, so top off your tank before departing to avoid any surprises. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads around the 175-mile mark on the Keystone Shortway, as this will likely signal a change in speed limits and driving conditions.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.7 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.5 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 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 44m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Punxsutawney, 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 295.3 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 Keystone Shortway for about 175.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 94.9 — 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
20.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
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 I 476: Chester, Allentown
6
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.57 one way
$103.15 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$56.47
$112.93
premium
$5.20
$60.41
$120.82
diesel
$6.28
$72.96
$145.93
Estimated Tolls: $11.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(91.2 mi)$11.87
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
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.01
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.34
$18.90
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Bensalem, PA
Morning
in Bensalem on Thursday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Punxsutawney, PA
Morning
in Punxsutawney on Thursday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
2 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
5h 31m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 20.4
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...
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
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 20.4
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 20.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 31% highway, meaning you'll encounter a good amount of surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 175.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll notice the transition from more developed highway exits to more rural cruising as you move away from the turnpike. Expect a mixed driving experience with both faster highway segments and slower, potentially more scenic, surface road sections.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 24 significant decision points across 295.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,557 ft104 ft
Total Climb
2,008 ft
Total Descent
693 ft
Highest Point
1,557 ft
~84.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,452 ft
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 Punxsutawney, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Mount Pocono and Penfield.
Punxsutawney is a borough in southern Jefferson County in the Pennsylvania Wilds, famous nationwide for Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog of Groundhog Day fame, who is traditionally said to determine for the nation whether summer will come sooner or later. Upon popping out of bed on the second of February, if he sees his shadow and returns to the security of his hole in fright, then — so the story goes — the U.S. can be assured that it will be in for a cold, long, rainy spring! See North American wildlife for more on the species.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.87 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 25 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 Punxsutawney, 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 25 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 — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Punxsutawney, PA before the return drive.
