Origin
Bristol, PA
Late night in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bristol, PA to Howard, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
220.6 mi
355 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 220.6-mile drive from Bristol, PA to Howard, PA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway and parts of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a fuel cost estimated around $37, this route offers a mixed driving experience across the state. The journey is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll traverse a significant portion of Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards a more central part of 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
110.3 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 112.9 mi | 2h 3m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 74.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 24 mi | 28m |
| Walnut Street | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| Jacksonville Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Walt Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.9 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Howard, 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
113 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 163
Toward Jacksonville, Howard
19
Turn right onto Walt Road
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Walt Road
20
Turn right onto PA 26
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto PA 26
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Walnut Street
22
Arrive at destination
PA 26
Trip Plan
For this approximately 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Bristol to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated $37 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your timing and enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
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 110.3 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard, 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 220.6 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 112.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.3 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.9 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 205 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
$36.57 one way
$73.15 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $40.06 | $80.11 |
| premium | $4.93 | $42.78 | $85.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.71 | $97.41 |
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
$37
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.30 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.88 | $14.12 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Howard, PA
Late night in Howard on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4h 13m 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?
Expect a journey with a 45% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster travel and potentially more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 112.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of consistent driving. This route is characterized as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a dynamic experience that likely transitions between higher-speed sections and potentially slower, more winding segments as you navigate Pennsylvania. You'll feel the character of the road change as you progress westward.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.9 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 20 significant decision points across 220.6 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.
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 Howard, PA, road signs point toward Allentown and Mount Pocono.
Allentown
26.1 mi in
|
~34m
Mount Pocono
100.8 mi in
|
~1h 55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 220.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.9 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 Howard, 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Howard, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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