Bristol, PA to McKean, PA is 337.6 miles and takes about 6h 38m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and US 219, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, offering a solid day's drive through varied terrain. It's a journey that's manageable in a single day, making it a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and more direct routes, so be prepared for changing road conditions.
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
168.8 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.5 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
US 219
24.9 mi
28m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
24 mi
28m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Mt Alton Road
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and McKean, 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
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
20
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
21
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
22
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
23
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
24
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
25
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
26
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
27
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
28
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
29
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
30
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
31
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
32
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
33
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
34
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
18 mi·20 min·US 219
36
Turn right onto PA 59
4.5 mi·6 min·Mt Alton Road
37
Continue on PA 59
4.1 mi·5 min·Mt Alton-Ormsby Road
38
Turn left onto Ormsby Crossroad
415 ft·15 sec·Ormsby Crossroad
39
Continue on PA 646
0.9 mi·1 min·Ridge Road
40
Arrive at destination
PA 646
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 38m estimated duration, starting in the morning is advisable to ensure you have ample daylight for the 337.6-mile journey. While the drive is feasible in one day, consider that the longest stretch is 165.5 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop around the halfway point for fuel and a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $56, so ensure your tank is full before departing Bristol, PA. Keep an eye on the road signs for transitions between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Keystone Shortway, and US 219, as these shifts can impact your driving pace.
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 168.8 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.5 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 74 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.8 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKean, 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 337.6 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 165.5 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 27
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
$55.97 one way
$111.94 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$61.30
$122.60
premium
$4.93
$65.47
$130.95
diesel
$5.61
$74.54
$149.08
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
$56
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.45
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.54
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.26
$21.61
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Bristol, PA
Night
in Bristol on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
McKean, PA
Night
in McKean on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
169 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
7 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 38m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 34.9
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 23.3
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 23.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 36% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and US 219, which can feel like a more traditional highway commute. However, the Keystone Shortway forms a significant part of this trip, totaling 165.5 miles as the longest uninterrupted stretch, suggesting a more direct, potentially less urban-feeling road. Expect the character of the drive to evolve, transitioning from turnpike speeds to potentially more local road conditions as you progress.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 27 significant decision points across 337.6 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.
Between Bristol, PA and McKean, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Mount Pocono and Penfield.
Allentown
26.1 mi in|~34m
Mount Pocono
100.8 mi in|~1h 55m
Penfield
267.5 mi in|~4h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 337.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.5 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 McKean, 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.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McKean, PA before the return drive.
