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Trip from Montgomery, PA to Bensalem, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

172.5 mi

278 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Montgomery, PA

Wikimedia Commons

township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States

Bensalem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 172.6-mile journey from Montgomery, PA, to Bensalem, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $29, and you'll encounter one planned stop. This route is a practical choice for a straightforward drive within Pennsylvania, offering a direct path without the need for an overnight stay. It's a good option if you prefer to stay off major interstates and experience more local scenery.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

86.3 miles from Montgomery, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 74.6 mi 1h 20m
Keystone Shortway 64.2 mi 1h 11m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 18 mi 19m
I 180 5.1 mi 5m
PA 54 4.8 mi 8m
Street Road 1.7 mi 2m
2nd Street 1.1 mi 1m
Montgomery Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 74.6 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, PA and Bensalem, PA.

1

Start on West Houston Avenue

37 ft · 3 sec · West Houston Avenue
2

Turn right onto PA 54

420 ft · 15 sec · South Main Street
3

Turn left onto PA 54

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Montgomery Street
4

Turn right onto PA 54; PA 405

1.1 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street
5

Turn slight left onto PA 54

4.8 mi · 8 min · PA 54
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
7

Merge onto I 180

5.1 mi · 5 min · I 180
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg Use the right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec
10

Merge onto I 80

64 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Keystone Shortway
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
14

Merge onto I 476; PATP

75 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey Use the right lane.
16

Merge onto I 276; PATP

18 mi · 19 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 352 Toward PA 132: Street Road Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn left onto PA 132

1.7 mi · 2 min · Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn right onto Knights Road

261 ft · 8 sec · Knights Road
20

Turn right

135 ft · 9 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 43-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 172.6-mile route, leaving in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for navigation and any spontaneous brief stops. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $29, and plan your fueling before departing or at your single designated stop. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main road segments like South Main Street and Montgomery Street beforehand, as frequent turns can be disorienting if you're not prepared.

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 86.3 miles from Montgomery, PA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.6 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 38 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.3 miles or 1h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bensalem, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, PA

This is one driving day of about 172.5 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Montgomery, 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 Northeast Extension for about 74.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wilkes-Barre, PA

86 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

Catawissa, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmerton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Montgomery, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Bella's Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.2

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12158862266

Visit website

Cafe Light

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.5

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12154379790

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 37

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 61.6

Drums, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 98.6

Lehighton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 61.6

Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Elmwood Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 147.9

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16102773825

Visit website

Ambler Arboretum of Temple University

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 160.2

Ambler, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12674688000

Visit website

Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 160.2

Horsham, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+12156722277

Visit website

Kohler Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 160.2

Ambler, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12156433131

Otherworld Philadelphia

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 172.5

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12673325391

Visit website

Lake Lenape Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 135.6

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12152575065

Fischer's Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 147.9

Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+12153687602

Visit website

The Sellersville Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 135.6

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+12152575253

Visit website

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 170.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 54 / South Main Street

Turn right onto PA 54 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
11.5 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
6
77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
152.1 mi into trip | ~2h 53m 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
7
170.4 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

Take the exit toward PA 132: Street Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 352 Toward PA 132: Street Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.60 one way

$57.20 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $31.32 $62.64
premium $4.93 $33.45 $66.91
diesel $5.61 $38.09 $76.17

Estimated Tolls: $12.03

Pennsylvania Turnpike (92.6 mi) $12.03

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

$29

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.8 0 $18.11 $8.28
Efficient EV 43.1 0 $15.09 $6.90
EV Truck/SUV 69 0 $24.15 $11.04

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Montgomery, PA

Late night in Montgomery on Sunday

Local time

12:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bensalem, PA

Late night in Bensalem on Sunday

Local time

12:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live 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

26 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 17m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 148.7
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

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 154.7
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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 154.7
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

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...

26 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 154.7
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 drive characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of uninterrupted driving, with no longest uninterrupted stretch noted in the data. Instead, your journey will consist of segments on South Main Street, Montgomery Street, and 2nd Street. This type of route allows for a more granular experience of the landscape, with more opportunities to observe the immediate surroundings as you make your way through various communities.

59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

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 early in the drive near PA 54 / South Main Street.

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 18 significant decision points across 172.5 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: near the start (PA 54 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Montgomery, PA and Bensalem, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.

Patp

76.3 mi in | ~1h 29m

Allentown

76.3 mi in | ~1h 29m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 172.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $12.03 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 Bensalem, 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: near the start (PA 54 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bensalem, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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