Bensalem, PA to Saint Marys, PA is 288.9 miles and takes about 5h 33m via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and heading towards the central part of the state. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, so it's a good option if you want to get there efficiently without being solely on interstates. Given the relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling too rushed.
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
144.5 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.5 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17.1 mi
18m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Street Road
1.9 mi
3m
Lincoln Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Saint Marys, 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
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
18
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
19
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
20
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
21
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
22
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
23
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
24
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
102 ft·1 sec·Railroad Street
25
Arrive at destination
PA 120; PA 255
Trip Plan
For this 5h 33m drive, leaving Bensalem in the morning should get you to Saint Marys with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider an early start to maximize your time upon arrival. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $48, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. With 1 stop recommended, plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep in mind the 165.5-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway; ensure you have enough fuel before entering that longer segment, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates.
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 144.5 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.5 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Marys, 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 288.9 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 165.5 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 18
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
$46.06 one way
$92.13 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$50.98
$101.96
premium
$4.81
$54.69
$109.37
diesel
$4.80
$54.55
$109.10
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
$46
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.7
1
$30.33
$13.87
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.28
$11.56
EV Truck/SUV
115.6
1
$40.45
$18.49
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bensalem, PA
Late night
in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
5:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Saint Marys, PA
Late night
in Saint Marys on Sunday
Local time
5:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
S 3 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
68°F
Harrisburg, PA
144 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
8 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
5h 33m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 19.9
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 19.9
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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 19.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 32% of this 288.9-mile route is highway, meaning you'll transition to surface roads for a significant portion. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll likely notice more exits and potential for traffic as you begin on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension before transitioning to more rural cruising on the Keystone Shortway. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for varying speed limits and road conditions.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.5 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 18 significant decision points across 288.9 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,761 ft104 ft
Total Climb
3,120 ft
Total Descent
1,562 ft
Highest Point
1,761 ft
~247.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,657 ft
Notable High Points
1,748 ft at ~185.7 miles+671 ft prominence
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 Saint Marys, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Mount Pocono and Penfield.
St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Sitting near the center of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, St. Marys provides a great jumping-off point for visits to the area's parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 288.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.5 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 24 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 Saint Marys, 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 24 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 5.6 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 Saint Marys, PA before the return drive.
