Bristol, PA to Lamar, PA is 206.8 miles and takes about 3h 55m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads on this relatively short, single-day trip. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive that can be completed with minimal planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.4 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.1 mi
1h 53m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
24 mi
28m
Nittany Valley Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Bristol Pike
0.7 mi
1m
Jefferson Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Beaver Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Wood Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,125 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,587
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
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 Lamar, 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
22 mi·25 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit 40Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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
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
103 mi·1 hr 53 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill HallUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 64
1.3 mi·2 min·Nittany Valley Drive
20
Turn sharp right onto Bletz Road
116 ft·5 sec·Bletz Road
21
Arrive at destination
Bletz Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 55m estimated drive time, leaving Bristol, PA in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Lamar, PA well before evening. The single recommended stop is conveniently placed, but you can easily adjust your timing if you prefer to push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 budget is an estimate; it's always wise to top off before embarking. The 103.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway is your longest continuous drive, so plan your last fuel stop before entering that segment if needed.
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 103.4 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 1h 59m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lamar, 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 206.8 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 103.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 205 — 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
7
205 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
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 PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.57 one way
$73.15 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$40.06
$80.11
premium
$5.24
$42.70
$85.39
diesel
$5.35
$43.56
$87.12
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: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.71
$9.93
Efficient EV
51.7
0
$18.10
$8.27
EV Truck/SUV
82.7
1
$28.95
$13.24
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Bristol, PA
Afternoon
in Bristol on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lamar, PA
Afternoon
in Lamar on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
W 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
11 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
3h 55m on the road
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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
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 21.4
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 28.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 47% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on higher-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 103.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Expect a transition from potentially more developed areas to more rural cruising as you progress. The mixed profile suggests you'll experience both limited-access highways and surface roads with more frequent intersections.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.1 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 Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 206.8 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
1,727 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,555 ft
Total Descent
1,787 ft
Highest Point
1,727 ft
~192 mi in
Elevation Range
1,704 ft
Notable High Points
1,727 ft at ~192 miles+674 ft prominence
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 Lamar, PA, road signs point toward Allentown and Mount Pocono.
Allentown
26.1 mi in|~34m
Mount Pocono
100.8 mi in|~1h 55m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
One Love Coffee Shack
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Bloomsburg, PA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 05:00-13:00; Fr 05:00-15:00; Sa 07...
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 206.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 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.
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 Lamar, 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, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lamar, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
