Bristol, PA to Newtown, PA is 322.2 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive keeps you primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the majority of the journey, offering a straightforward path from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to another point within the state. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is well-suited for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Expect the bulk of your travel to be on high-speed highways, making it a practical choice for a direct trip.
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
161.1 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
268.6 mi
4h 54m
University Drive
13 mi
15m
Morgantown Road
8.8 mi
13m
PA 982
8 mi
13m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
Memorial Boulevard
4 mi
4m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
3.9 mi
4m
South Eighty Eight Road
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 268.6 mi, about 4h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Newtown, 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
267 mi·4 hr 51 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit 40Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, UniontownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·State Route 31
13
Continue on PA 31
0.1 mi·15 sec·Three Mile Hill
14
Turn left onto PA 982
8.0 mi·13 min·PA 982
15
Turn left onto US 119
4.0 mi·4 min·Memorial Boulevard
16
Turn straight onto US 119
0.6 mi·39 sec·Blackstone Road
17
Merge onto US 119
0.5 mi·33 sec·Morrell Avenue
18
Turn slight right onto US 119
13 mi·15 min·University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119
3.9 mi·4 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
Toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Expressway, Point Marion, Morgantown WV
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Fairchance, Smithfield
21
Turn right onto Big Six Road
0.2 mi·17 sec·Big Six Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 119
1.5 mi·2 min·Morgantown Road
23
Continue on US 119
0.9 mi·1 min·Morgantown Street
24
Continue on US 119
7.3 mi·10 min·Morgantown Road
25
Turn right onto PA 88
0.3 mi·27 sec·Home Street
26
Continue on PA 88
2.6 mi·3 min·South Eighty Eight Road
27
Turn straight onto Holbert Stretch
1.6 mi·2 min·Holbert Stretch
28
At end of road, turn right onto Bobtown Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Bobtown Road
29
Turn left onto Budapest Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Budapest Road
30
Continue on Budapest Road
67 ft·2 sec·Budapest Road
31
Arrive at destination
Budapest Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 15m duration, starting your drive from Bristol, PA, in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Newtown, PA, with ample daylight. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is 268.6 miles, so plan for at least one significant fuel and rest stop midway, perhaps around the 100-150 mile mark. With a total fuel cost estimated at $53, keep an eye on gas prices as you travel. This is a manageable one-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up with an overnight stay if you find a compelling reason to stop along the turnpike.
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 161.1 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 268.6 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 71 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 3h 1m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newtown, 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 322.2 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 268.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 303.3 — 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
270.8 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
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 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
6
303.3 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|US 119 / Mon/Fayette Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 119 / Mon/Fayette Expressway toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Expressway, Point Marion, Morgantown WV
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 119 South, PA 43: Mon/Fayette Express...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.37 one way
$102.75 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$56.85
$113.71
premium
$4.81
$60.99
$121.98
diesel
$4.80
$60.84
$121.67
Estimated Tolls: $34.93
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(268.6 mi)$34.93
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
$51
Tolls
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$111–$136
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.83
$15.47
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
EV Truck/SUV
128.9
1
$45.11
$20.62
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Bristol, PA
Afternoon
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Newtown, PA
Afternoon
in Newtown on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Smoke
N 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
161 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
1 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 15m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 133.3
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...
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 244.4
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 300
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 88.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 268.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent cruising speed. The journey begins on University Drive and Morgantown Road before merging onto the turnpike, setting a highway-centric tone for the majority of the trip. This profile suggests a driving experience characterized by consistent speeds and minimal interruptions from local traffic.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 268.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and University Drive. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 322.2 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
2,179 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,804 ft
Total Descent
1,857 ft
Highest Point
2,179 ft
~253.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,156 ft
Notable High Points
1,504 ft at ~161.1 miles+509 ft prominence
2,179 ft at ~253.2 miles+617 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 Newtown, PA, road signs point toward Uniontown, Point Marion and Morgantown.
Newtown is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by beautiful farmlands, this small town was also the location where the movie Signs was filmed in part. It is a cute town with plenty of places to visit, eat and see.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 322.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 268.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.93 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 19 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 Newtown, 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 19 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 — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Flight 93 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newtown, PA before the return drive.
