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Trip from Bristol, PA to Coaldale, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

251.4 mi

405 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States

Bristol, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Coaldale, PA, PA

Coaldale, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

Bristol, PA to Coaldale, PA is 251.4 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania, staying within the Northeast region. The route offers a mixed driving experience, with a significant portion on highways but also sections on surface roads. It's a manageable one-day drive, making it a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick transit across the state.

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

125.7 miles from Bristol, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 143.2 mi 2h 36m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 74.2 mi 1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 24 mi 28m
Winburne Road 2.1 mi 4m
Coaldale Road 1.7 mi 4m
Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Casanova Spur 0.7 mi 1m
Bristol Pike 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 143.2 mi, about 2h 36m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Bristol, PA and Coaldale, PA.

1

Start on this road

158 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Washington Street

506 ft · 27 sec · Washington Street
3

Turn left onto Wood Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · Wood Street
4

Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Avenue
5

At end of road, turn right onto Beaver Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Beaver Street
6

Turn slight right onto US 13

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bristol Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

0.6 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York Use the left lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP

22 mi · 25 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit 40 Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, Allentown Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
13

Merge onto I 476; PATP

74 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
17

Merge onto I 80

143 mi · 2 hr 36 min · Keystone Shortway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Toward PA 53: Philipsburg, Kylertown
19

Turn right onto PA 53

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Kylertown Drifting Highway
20

Turn right onto Winburne Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · Winburne Road
21

Turn straight onto SR 2037

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
22

Continue on Casanova Spur

0.7 mi · 1 min · Casanova Spur
23

Turn right onto Casanova Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Casanova Road
24

Turn sharp left onto Coaldale Road

1.7 mi · 4 min · Coaldale Road
25

Arrive at destination

Coaldale Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour 49 minute estimated drive time, leaving Bristol, PA in the morning is ideal to ensure you have plenty of daylight. This route is designed for a single day, so you can afford to be flexible with your stop. The longest stretch without exiting the highway is 143.2 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan for a fuel or rest break before or after this segment. Your estimated fuel cost is $42, which is a good benchmark for budgeting.

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 125.7 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.2 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.7 miles or 2h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coaldale, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bristol, 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 Bristol, PA

This is one driving day of about 251.4 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Bristol, 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 143.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Georgetown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Georgetown, PA

126 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

Bethlehem, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Georgetown, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.7 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 100.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | Pennsylvania Turnpike

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York
8
2.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg
9
3.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 40 Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg
7
26.1 mi into trip | ~34m 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
100.8 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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

$41.02 one way

$82.03 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.56 $45.10 $90.21
premium $4.86 $48.13 $96.26
diesel $5.40 $53.48 $106.95

Estimated Tolls: $12.77

Pennsylvania Turnpike (98.2 mi) $12.77

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

$41

Tolls

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.4 0 $26.40 $12.07
Efficient EV 62.9 0 $22.00 $10.06
EV Truck/SUV 100.6 1 $35.20 $16.09

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 26, 2026

Origin

Bristol, PA

Morning in Bristol on Sunday

Local time

10:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Coaldale, PA

Morning in Coaldale on Sunday

Local time

10:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

45°F

Georgetown, PA

126 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

4h 49m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend about 39% of this 251.4-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous highway stretch measuring 143.2 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your drive. Expect a mix of driving conditions, including what could be dense exits on the highway portions and more open cruising on the surface road segments.

39% 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: 143.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 around 1.7 miles in near Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 21 significant decision points across 251.4 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 1.7 miles (Pennsylvania Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): 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 Bristol, PA and Coaldale, PA, road signs point toward Allentown and Mount Pocono.

Allentown

26.1 mi in | ~34m

Mount Pocono

100.8 mi in | ~1h 55m

About the Cities

Starting in Bristol, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1681

Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This article also covers the neighboring communities of Tullytown and Levittown.

Top landmarks

  • Harriman Historic District — historic district in the United States
  • Dorrance Mansion — historic house in Pennsylvania, United States
  • Bristol Historic District — historic district 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 4h 49m. Total distance: 251.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 143.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $12.77 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 Coaldale, 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 1.7 miles (Pennsylvania Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Coaldale, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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