North Buffalo, PA to Bristol, PA is 321.6 miles and takes about 6h 17m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without needing an overnight stop.
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
160.8 miles from North Buffalo, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212.3 mi
3h 51m
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
US 422
24.7 mi
31m
Indiana Road
19.5 mi
26m
William Penn Highway
16.4 mi
19m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
6.2 mi
9m
Main Street
3.3 mi
4m
Ford City Road
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.3 mi, about 3h 51m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
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 North Buffalo, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Boarts Road
76 ft·10 sec·Boarts Road
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 128
0.4 mi·39 sec·Cadogan Slate Lick Road
3
Continue on PA 128
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
4
Turn left onto PA 128
0.5 mi·47 sec·Prospect Avenue
5
Continue on PA 128
2.2 mi·3 min·Ford City Road
6
Turn slight right onto Hill Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Hill Street
7
Turn straight onto Pleasantview Drive
481 ft·29 sec·Pleasantview Drive
8
Turn left onto PA 66
2.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
9
Turn straight onto Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
10
Turn right onto US 422 Business
20 mi·26 min·Indiana Road
11
Continue on US 422; PA 56
6.2 mi·7 min·US 422; PA 56
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 422; PA 286 Truck
18 mi·23 min·US 422; PA 286 Truck
13
Continue on US 422; PA 271
6.2 mi·9 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
14
Continue on US 422
1.6 mi·2 min·Ben Franklin Highway
15
Continue on West High Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West High Street
16
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
17
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi·28 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
18
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 22 East: HollidaysburgUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
20
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
22
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
24
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
25
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
28
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
212 mi·3 hr 51 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 42Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
30
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft·8 sec·Pennsylvania Turnpike
31
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft·8 sec
Toward US 13 South: BristolUse the right lane.
32
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
33
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Avenue
35
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pond Street
36
Turn left
91 ft·12 sec
37
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 17m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Bristol, PA. The route has only one recommended stop, and with the longest stretch being 212.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you'll want to plan your break accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $57, so it's wise to fill up before you hit the road and perhaps once more during your longest highway segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but a planned fuel stop will ensure a smooth arrival.
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 160.8 miles from North Buffalo, PA, or about 3h 19m 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 71 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.8 miles or 3h 19m 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 11m
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 North Buffalo, 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 North Buffalo, PA
This is one driving day of about 321.6 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from North Buffalo, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.3 and 320.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
6
106.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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
319 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
320.1 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
$56.17 one way
$112.33 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$61.50
$122.99
premium
$5.20
$65.79
$131.58
diesel
$6.28
$79.46
$158.93
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
$56
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.5
1
$33.77
$15.44
Efficient EV
80.4
0
$28.14
$12.86
EV Truck/SUV
128.6
1
$45.02
$20.58
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Oct 21, 2026
Origin
North Buffalo, PA
Morning
in North Buffalo on Friday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear then Patchy Fog
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Morning
in Bristol on Friday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
42°F
King, PA
161 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
10 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
6h 17m 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.
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 188.5
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
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 288.3
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 232.9
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
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 299.4
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 299.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on the highway for about 82% of this 321.6-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 212.3 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of your trip. The route features a significant amount of highway driving, meaning you'll encounter frequent exits and merges.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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?
9/10
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 around 60.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 321.6 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 60.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,324 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,192 ft
Total Descent
3,244 ft
Highest Point
2,324 ft
~72.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,301 ft
Notable High Points
2,324 ft at ~72.1 miles+688 ft prominence
1,679 ft at ~168.3 miles+675 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Buffalo, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 321.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 60.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 77.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.4 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 Johnstown Flood National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
