Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
239.6 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Sterling, PA
Clément Proust
Bristol, PA to Sterling, PA is 239.6 miles and takes about 4h 56m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 322, and US 22, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. Expect a drive that's predominantly highway, making it a straightforward journey if you're looking for efficiency. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
119.8 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 110.6 mi | 2h |
| US 322 | 54.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| I 83 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Walton Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Spring Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Sterling, PA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn left onto Wood Street
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Beaver Street
Turn slight right onto US 13
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP
Take the exit
Continue on I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 83
Continue on US 322
Take the exit onto US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn left onto PA 504
Turn left onto PA 53
Turn right onto PA 53
Continue on PA 53
Continue on PA 53
Turn right onto Kate Street
At end of road, turn left onto Elizabeth Street
Turn right onto PA 53
Continue on PA 53
Turn right onto Sterling Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 56m estimated drive time, leaving Bristol, PA in the morning will allow you to reach Sterling, PA with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 110 miles, so be mindful of fuel levels before embarking on that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $40, so ensure you have enough to cover this and any potential detours or local driving upon arrival.
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.
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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 18m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 239.6 miles and 4h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 122.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$39.72 one way
$79.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $43.51 | $87.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $46.47 | $92.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.90 | $105.80 |
Estimated Tolls: $14.39
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
$40
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.16 | $11.50 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.54 | $15.33 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
10:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Sterling on Sunday
Local time
10:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
48°F
Middlesex, PA
120 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Scenic Trail
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a long stretch of 110.6 miles without needing to exit. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these faster roads, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. While primarily highway, the inclusion of US 322 and US 22 provides some variation as you transition between major arteries.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 322. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 239.6 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bristol, PA and Sterling, PA, road signs point toward Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Hershey
State College
Lewistown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 239.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bristol, PA or browse trips ending in Sterling, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
