Traveling from Mount Pocono to Bristol covers 117.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Because this journey stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Keystone Shortway. Budgeting around $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since the drive is straightforward and efficient, it works perfectly as a direct transit route for those heading south toward the Philadelphia suburbs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Mount Pocono, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Given the 2-hour and 21-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around typical traffic patterns. Since the entire trip is relatively short, you likely won't need to schedule formal stops unless you prefer a quick break to stretch your legs. Keep in mind that as you transition onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike system, having your payment method ready will help you maintain your momentum. Aim to avoid peak rush hours near Bristol to ensure you arrive at your destination without unnecessary delays. This route is designed for speed and directness, so enjoy the straightforward nature of the drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Mount Pocono, PA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 26 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristol, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Mount Pocono, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Mount Pocono, PA
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Mount Pocono, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 66.8 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 4.7 and 115.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
7
23.9 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the ramp toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
6
91 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
$19.46 one way
$38.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.32
$42.63
premium
$4.93
$22.77
$45.54
diesel
$5.61
$25.92
$51.84
Estimated Tolls: $11.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(90.4 mi)$11.76
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
$19
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.27
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.44
$7.51
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Mount Pocono, PA
Morning
in Mount Pocono on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Morning
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 15 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
44°F
Northampton, PA
59 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 93.1
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 89% of your total drive time is spent on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a consistent pace, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 66.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Because the route is dominated by interstates, you will find a steady rhythm behind the wheel rather than the technical turns of local backroads. The transition from the higher elevations of Mount Pocono toward Bristol is seamless, keeping you on high-speed roads for the vast majority of your journey.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 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 18 significant decision points across 117.4 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,891 ft48 ft
Total Climb
526 ft
Total Descent
2,320 ft
Highest Point
1,891 ft
~9.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,844 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Pocono, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Blakeslee and Patp South.
Blakeslee
14.1 mi in|~19m
Patp South
23.9 mi in|~34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.76 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 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 (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bristol, PA before heading back.
