Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
31.5 mi
51 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Darby, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Bristol to Darby covers a 31.5-mile span through the heart of Pennsylvania’s Northeast region. You can expect the journey to take roughly 51 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting about $5 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the route is entirely contained within the state, you won't need to worry about regional transitions or cross-state logistics. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over leisure, perfect for commuters or those needing to reach their destination quickly. By keeping the trip to a single day, you retain maximum flexibility for your schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Expressway | 22.1 mi | 30m |
| State Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Island Avenue | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Bartram Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Street Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Otter Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Radcliffe Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Darby, PA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Washington Street
At end of road, turn right onto Radcliffe Street
Turn right onto Market Street
At end of road, turn left onto Old US Hwy 13
Turn right onto Mill Street
Continue on Otter Street
Continue on Old US Hwy 13
Turn left onto PA 413
Turn right onto State Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Turn left
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Continue on Bartram Avenue
Turn right onto Island Avenue
Turn left onto Woodland Avenue
Continue on Main Street
Turn right onto Ridge Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 31.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 28 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto PA 413 / New Rodgers Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 95 South: Central Philadelphia
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Bartram Avenue, Essington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$5.22 one way
$10.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.72 | $11.44 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.95 | $13.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.31 | $1.51 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.76 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Isolated Rain Showers
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Late night in Darby on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
53°F
Cheltenham, PA
16 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This 31.5-mile route is heavily reliant on major thoroughfares, with approximately 71% of your time spent on highways. You will navigate using a combination of the Delaware Expressway, State Road, and Island Avenue to complete your transit. The Delaware Expressway serves as the backbone of the trip, hosting your longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.1 miles. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience behind the wheel is characterized by consistent speeds rather than winding backroads. Expect a functional, direct transition between these two points that favors quick movement over technical maneuvering.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Delaware Expressway and State Road. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 31.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (PA 413 / New Rodgers Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 31.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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