Origin
Mercer, PA
Late night in Mercer on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mercer, PA to Bristol, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 44m
Distance
365.9 mi
589 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 33m
★
6 AM
6h 44m
8 AM
7h 8m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 50m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mercer, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mercer to Bristol covers 352.8 miles across Pennsylvania, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on this being a full day of travel. Budget roughly $58 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably in one day. Since you remain within the Northeast region for the entire duration, you will experience consistent regional road conditions from start to finish. It is a straightforward transit across the state, perfect for those who prefer navigating local corridors over repetitive highway miles.
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
182.9 miles from Mercer, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 261.1 mi | 4h 42m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 74.6 mi | 1h 20m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 23.6 mi | 26m |
| Erie Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Perry Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Beaver Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 261.1 mi, about 4h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mercer, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on US 19; US 62; PA 58; PA 258
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Erie Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 19
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Perry Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
4
Merge onto I 80
261 mi
·
4 hr 42 min
·
Keystone Shortway
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
8
Merge onto I 476; PATP
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 276; PATP
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
12
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
17
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pond Street
18
Turn left
91 ft
·
12 sec
19
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, as the turn-heavy nature of this route can be more demanding after dark. With a total duration of nearly six hours, scheduling at least one significant stop is essential to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep your fuel budget of $58 in mind, and consider topping off your tank before you hit the more local, winding sections where service stations might be less frequent. Since this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; take your time through the intersections and local segments to avoid fatigue. A solid tip for this route is to map out your one primary stop in advance to ensure you have a reliable place to stretch your legs away from the busy local corridors.
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 182.9 miles from Mercer, PA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.1 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.9 miles or 3h 20m 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 34m
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 Mercer, 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 Mercer, PA
This is one driving day of about 365.9 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mercer, 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 261.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 182.9 miles from Mercer, 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 261.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 364.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East: Clarion
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
6
264.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
339.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 10m 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
363.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m 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
364.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 40m 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
$60.66 one way
$121.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $66.44 | $132.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $70.96 | $141.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.79 | $161.57 |
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
$61
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.42 | $17.56 |
| Efficient EV | 91.5 | 1 | $32.02 | $14.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.4 | 1 | $51.23 | $23.42 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Destination
Bristol, PA
Late night in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
183 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
4 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 44m 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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 340.6
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
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 340.6
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 340.6
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 340.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route prioritizes local connections over major interstates. You will navigate using Perry Highway, I-80 East, and the Keystone Shortway, which creates a blend of road types rather than a monotonous highway grind. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more technical drive that requires your full attention through various turns and intersections. This profile makes for a dynamic time behind the wheel, as the road conditions shift frequently between segments. Stay alert, as the lack of long, uninterrupted interstate stretches means you will be actively managing your speed and lane positioning throughout the 352.8-mile journey.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 365.9 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 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 264.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 339.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Mercer, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
263.7 mi in
|
~4h 47m
Allentown
263.7 mi in
|
~4h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 44m. Total distance: 365.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.1 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 264.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 339.5 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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