Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Bristol, PA to Saint Marys, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
294.8 mi
474 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Marys, PA
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
Bristol, PA to Saint Marys, PA is 294.8 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the interior. Expect a mix of driving experiences as you transition from turnpikes to more rural roads. This route is generally best tackled in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick 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
147.4 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 165.5 mi | 3h |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 74.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| 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 |
| Bristol Pike | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical · worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Saint Marys, 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
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
102 ft
·
1 sec
·
Railroad Street
27
Arrive at destination
PA 120; PA 255
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Bristol early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially if you encounter any urban areas near the start. With a total drive time under 6 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day, allowing for flexibility. Consider breaking up the drive with a stop around the halfway point, perhaps after the turnpike sections, to refuel and stretch. Watch for potential changes in speed limits as you move from highway to surface roads, particularly on the Keystone Shortway segment.
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 147.4 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 2h 47m 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 65 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.4 miles or 2h 47m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Marys, 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 294.8 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.4 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 165.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hickory Run Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hickory Run Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Blue Ridge Travel Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$52.14 one way
$104.27 round trip
$4.49/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $57.10 | $114.21 |
| premium | $5.24 | $60.86 | $121.73 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $62.09 | $124.19 |
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
$52
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.95 | $14.15 |
| Efficient EV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.80 | $11.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.9 | 1 | $41.27 | $18.87 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Bristol, PA
Afternoon in Bristol on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Fog
E 0 to 5 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Marys, PA
Afternoon in Saint Marys on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
East Hanover, PA
147 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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 43m 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.
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 30.5
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$1
near mile 20.3
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 20.3
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 30.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this drive is on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering more of a rural cruising feel. The transition from the turnpikes to surface roads will likely be noticeable as exit density decreases. Be prepared for varying road conditions as you move between major expressways and secondary routes.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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?
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 294.8 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,748 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
3,114 ft
Total Descent
1,475 ft
Highest Point
1,748 ft
~273.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,725 ft
Notable High Points
1,676 ft at ~189.5 miles
+630 ft prominence
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 Saint Marys, 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
About the Cities
Starting in Bristol, PA
Full guide →Founded 1681
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This article also covers the neighboring communities of Tullytown and Levittown.
Top landmarks
- • Harriman Historic District — historic district in the United States
- • Dorrance Mansion — historic house in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Bristol Historic District — historic district in Pennsylvania, United States
Arriving in Saint Marys, PA
Full guide →St. Marys is a city in Elk County, Pennsylvania, part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Sitting near the center of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, St. Marys provides a great jumping-off point for visits to the area's parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 294.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Saint Marys, 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 24 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Marys, PA before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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