Spanning 395.2 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Cambridge Springs to Bristol is a significant trek that takes approximately 6 hours and 32 minutes of active driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should anticipate a full day behind the wheel if you intend to complete it in one go. Budgeting around $64 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip, though your actual costs may fluctuate based on vehicle efficiency. Since the entire route is contained within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel while navigating from the western side of the state toward the east. While it is possible to tackle this in a single day, be prepared for a demanding schedule that leaves little room for lengthy detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
204.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
257.1 mi
4h 38m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
I 79
37.2 mi
39m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23.6 mi
26m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.6 mi
6m
PA-198
3.1 mi
5m
Route 6/Route 19
1.3 mi
2m
Venango Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge Springs, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on PA 408
276 ft·12 sec·Church Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 19
0.8 mi·2 min·Venango Avenue
3
Continue on US 6; US 19
2.5 mi·3 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.3 mi·39 sec·River Street
5
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·47 sec·Cussewago Street
6
Turn left onto US 6; US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·Church Street
7
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.9 mi·2 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·14 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Army
9
Continue on US 6; US 19
0.2 mi·16 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
10
Continue on US 6; US 19
1.3 mi·2 min·Route 6/Route 19
11
Enter roundabout onto PA 198
28 ft·0 sec·PA-198
12
Continue on PA 198
3.1 mi·5 min·PA-198
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
14
Merge onto I 79
37 mi·39 min·I 79
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
16
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 38 min·Keystone Shortway
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Given the 6 hour and 32 minute duration of this trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch and reset, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be mentally taxing. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $64 estimate in mind, and top off before you hit the more rural segments of your journey. Since you are navigating local roads, allow for extra time in your schedule to account for variable traffic conditions or unexpected navigation challenges. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to prioritize comfort and frequent hydration, as the lack of highway segments means you will be consistently active throughout the entire 395.2-mile distance.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 204.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.1 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 90 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.1 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristol, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cambridge Springs, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cambridge Springs, PA
This is one driving day of about 408.2 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 257.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 306.1 and 406.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
306.1 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allen...
6
307 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
381.8 mi into trip|~7h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
6
405.6 mi into trip|~7h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
8
406.7 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 13 South: Bristol
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.67 one way
$135.35 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$74.12
$148.24
premium
$4.93
$79.17
$158.33
diesel
$5.61
$90.13
$180.25
Estimated Tolls: $12.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(98.2 mi)$12.76
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
$68
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.5
1
$42.86
$19.59
Efficient EV
102.1
1
$35.72
$16.33
EV Truck/SUV
163.3
2
$57.15
$26.12
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Cambridge Springs, PA
Night
in Cambridge Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
S 9 to 14 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Night
in Bristol on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Cuba, NY
204 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
7h 35m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 380
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 380
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip favors local roads over high-speed interstates, with a highway share of 0%. You will spend your time navigating via Venango Avenue, the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and River Street, which results in a technical, turn-heavy experience rather than a monotonous cruise. Because there is no extended highway usage, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Venango Avenue, requiring you to stay alert and engaged with frequent road changes. Expect a driving environment that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid transit. Being behind the wheel here means constant interaction with the road, making it a much more hands-on experience than a standard interstate commute.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 257.1 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 306.1 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 408.2 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 306.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 381.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,713 ft23 ft
Total Climb
1,318 ft
Total Descent
2,452 ft
Highest Point
1,713 ft
~174.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,690 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cambridge Springs, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
306.1 mi in|~5h 38m
Allentown
306.1 mi in|~5h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 408.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m 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 257.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.76 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 Bristol, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 306.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 381.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bristol, PA before the return drive.
