Frankstown to Bristol is 247.3 miles and takes about 4h 39m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Given the high percentage of highway driving and relatively short duration, this route is best suited for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so expect a straightforward drive with minimal need for complex navigation.
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
123.7 miles from Frankstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212.3 mi
3h 51m
I 99
22.3 mi
23m
Charger Highway
5.1 mi
8m
US 22
1.6 mi
2m
Blair Street
0.7 mi
1m
Bristol Pike
0.6 mi
1m
Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Business 220
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.3 mi, about 3h 51m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~642 veh/hr typical
· worst 833
Quietest
1 AM
~51 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Frankstown, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Mill Street
52 ft·6 sec·Mill Street
2
Turn right onto US 22
1.6 mi·2 min·US 22
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn slight left onto US 22
0.7 mi·1 min·Blair Street
Toward US 22 WestUse the slight left lane.
4
Turn left onto PA 36
367 ft·9 sec·Penn Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on PA 36
5.1 mi·8 min·Charger Highway
6
Turn right onto PA 164
0.2 mi·19 sec·Woodbury Pike
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·21 sec·this road
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
9
Merge onto I 99; US 220
22 mi·23 min·I 99; US 220
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
11
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
12
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
15
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
212 mi·3 hr 51 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 42Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
17
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft·8 sec·Pennsylvania Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft·8 sec
Toward US 13 South: BristolUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
20
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Avenue
22
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pond Street
23
Turn left
91 ft·12 sec
24
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
For this 4h 39m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bristol without feeling rushed. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 212.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, keeping the $41 fuel budget in mind. Consider stopping around the halfway point of the Turnpike to break up the driving.
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 123.7 miles from Frankstown, PA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.3 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 47m
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 Frankstown, 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 Frankstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 247.3 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Frankstown, 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 212.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 245.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 22
Turn right onto US 22
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|PA 36 / Penn Street
Turn left onto PA 36 / Penn Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
32.2 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
6
244.8 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
245.8 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
$43.52 one way
$87.04 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$47.59
$95.18
premium
$5.23
$50.88
$101.76
diesel
$6.18
$60.16
$120.32
Estimated Tolls: $27.60
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(212.3 mi)$27.60
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
$44
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.83
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Frankstown, PA
Morning
in Frankstown on Monday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bristol, PA
Morning
in Bristol on Monday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
2 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
4h 39m 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.
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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 110.9
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 213.2
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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 153.5
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 221.8
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 221.8
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 204.7
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, with 95% of the 247.3 miles on major roads. You'll cruise for a longest stretch of 212.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads like I 99 and Charger Highway. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the Turnpike, a common characteristic of this busy corridor.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 22.
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 18 significant decision points across 247.3 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: near the start (US 22): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (PA 36 / Penn Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,740 ft23 ft
Total Climb
1,402 ft
Total Descent
2,302 ft
Highest Point
1,740 ft
~53 mi in
Elevation Range
1,717 ft
Notable High Points
1,740 ft at ~53 miles+667 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Frankstown, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $27.60 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 18 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 22): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (PA 36 / Penn Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bristol, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
