Croydon, PA to Bradford, PA is 337.5 miles and takes about 6h 34m via Keystone Shortway and US 219, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip heads north through Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Keystone Shortway, which offers a relatively straightforward path for much of the drive. Given the duration and distance, this is a solid one-day trip, but you could also break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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 Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m 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
36.4 mi
41m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17.1 mi
18m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Johnsonburg Road
4.4 mi
6m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Croydon, PA and Bradford, PA.
1
Start on State Road
1.6 mi·3 min·State Road
2
Turn right onto Street Road
4.2 mi·7 min·Street Road
Use the right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
4
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi·26 sec·Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 276, PATPUse the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 276; PATP
17 mi·18 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
14
Merge onto I 80
166 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
18
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
19
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
20
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
21
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
22
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
23
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
24
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
25
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
26
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
27
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
28
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
29
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
30
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
31
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
30 mi·33 min·US 219
33
Arrive at destination
US 219
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 337.5-mile drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. Consider a longer stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. Since the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is 165.5 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering this longer segment. The $62 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, so ensure you have enough gas before heading out, especially if you plan to drive this in one day.
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 Croydon, PA, or about 3h 10m 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.8 miles or 3h 10m 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 Bradford, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Croydon, 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 Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 337.5 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Croydon, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 98.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|Street Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
24.1 mi into trip|~31m 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
98.7 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
$59.69 one way
$119.37 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$65.37
$130.75
premium
$5.24
$69.68
$139.36
diesel
$5.35
$71.09
$142.18
Estimated Tolls: $11.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(91.2 mi)$11.87
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
$60
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
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, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.44
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.53
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.25
$21.60
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Croydon, PA
Afternoon
in Croydon on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bradford, PA
Afternoon
in Bradford on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
NW 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
16 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 34m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 23.3
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
~34 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...
26 mi from route
~64 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?
About 38% of this 337.5-mile route is on highways, meaning you’ll experience a mix of faster driving and more local road cruising. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 165.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Expect to transition between limited-access highways and surface roads, with potentially more frequent exits and slower speeds once you leave the main highway sections. This profile suggests a drive where you'll have periods of efficient travel followed by more varied driving conditions.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
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 22 significant decision points across 337.5 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 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,214 ft26 ft
Total Climb
4,122 ft
Total Descent
2,697 ft
Highest Point
2,214 ft
~265.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,188 ft
Notable High Points
1,751 ft at ~96.4 miles+683 ft prominence
1,568 ft at ~192.9 miles+757 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Croydon, PA and Bradford, PA, road signs point toward Allentown, Mount Pocono and Penfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 337.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m 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 $11.87 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 Bradford, 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 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: 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 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bradford, PA before the return drive.
