This 317.9-mile drive from Bristol, PA to Ford City, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. With 76% of the drive on highways, including significant stretches of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, this route is designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $53. Given its Northeast to Northeast location within Pennsylvania, you'll be navigating familiar terrain, making it a practical choice for those seeking a direct path.
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
159 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
213.1 mi
3h 52m
Ben Franklin Highway
44.6 mi
59m
I 99
27.8 mi
29m
William Penn Highway
15.9 mi
18m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
6 mi
8m
Indiana Road
1.3 mi
2m
PA 66
1.1 mi
1m
Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 213.1 mi, about 3h 52m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,140 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
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 Bristol, PA and Ford City, 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 YorkUse the left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, HarrisburgUse 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
211 mi·3 hr 49 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit 40Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
15
Merge onto I 99; US 220
28 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·43 sec·this road
18
Continue on US 22
16 mi·18 min·William Penn Highway
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Ebensburg, LorettoUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
450 ft·12 sec
Toward Ebensburg, LorettoUse the straight lane.
21
Merge onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
Toward Ebensburg
22
Continue on East High Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East High Street
23
Take the exit
183 ft·8 sec
24
Continue on Ben Franklin Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Ben Franklin Highway
25
Merge onto US 422
6.0 mi·8 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
26
Continue on US 422
43 mi·56 min·Ben Franklin Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 422 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Indiana Road
28
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
29
Continue on PA 66
1.1 mi·1 min·PA 66
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
31
Turn straight onto PA 128
0.6 mi·1 min·5th Avenue
32
Turn right onto 11th Street
352 ft·20 sec·11th Street
33
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
65 ft·2 sec·4th Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 12-minute trip, consider an early morning departure from Bristol, PA, to bypass potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a long 213.1-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer highway segments. For this single-day journey, flexibility is key; you can adjust your timing as needed, but being prepared for a full day of driving is advisable.
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 159 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.1 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159 miles or 2h 57m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ford City, 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 317.9 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 213.1 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 1.7 and 262 — 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
215.2 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
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 Altoona, Johnstown
8
262 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Ebensburg, Loretto
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.81 one way
$109.61 round trip
$4.38/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.81
$60.20
$120.40
premium
$5.12
$64.09
$128.19
diesel
$5.21
$65.21
$130.41
Estimated Tolls: $27.70
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(213.1 mi)$27.70
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
$55
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-08.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.4
1
$33.38
$15.26
Efficient EV
79.5
0
$27.82
$12.72
EV Truck/SUV
127.2
1
$44.51
$20.35
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 Jun 17, 2026
Origin
Bristol, PA
Afternoon
in Bristol on Wednesday
Local time
2:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 17 at 9:32AM EDT until June 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Ford City, PA
Afternoon
in Ford City on Wednesday
Local time
2:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 17 at 9:32AM EDT until June 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
5 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
6h 12m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 32.9
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 131.5
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 21.9
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 87.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 76% of its length utilizing major thoroughfares. You'll experience a substantial 213.1-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent, high-speed experience. The journey incorporates sections of the Ben Franklin Highway and I-99, ensuring most of your time is spent on well-maintained, multi-lane roads designed for longer distances. Expect a driving profile that prioritizes covering ground efficiently over varied terrain.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Ben Franklin Highway. 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 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 317.9 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,837 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,060 ft
Total Descent
1,291 ft
Highest Point
1,837 ft
~249.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,814 ft
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 Ford City, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown, Hollidaysburg, Ebensburg and Loretto.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 317.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $27.70 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 20 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 Ford City, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Johnstown Flood 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ford City, PA before the return drive.
