Traveling from Palmer to Bristol covers 313.3 miles of Pennsylvania landscape, typically requiring about 6 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Since the route stays entirely within the Northeast region of the state, it is manageable as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance. The journey utilizes a mix of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 119, and Pleasant Valley Road. Because the drive is straightforward, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay, though planning for at least one stop will help keep you alert.
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
156.6 miles from Palmer, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
267.6 mi
4h 53m
US 119
15 mi
17m
Pleasant Valley Road
7.9 mi
13m
New Salem Road
7.7 mi
13m
PA 31
6 mi
9m
Thompson 1 Road
1.4 mi
2m
Palmer Adah Road
1.2 mi
4m
Ralph Road
0.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 267.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Tank Hill Road
157 ft·9 sec·Tank Hill Road
2
Turn right onto Palmer Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Palmer Road
3
Continue on Sr3013
523 ft·23 sec·Sr3013
4
Continue on Palmer Adah Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Palmer Adah Road
5
Turn right onto Ralph Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Ralph Road
6
Turn left onto PA 166
0.2 mi·26 sec·Hartley Hill Road
7
Continue on PA 166
1.4 mi·2 min·Thompson 1 Road
8
Continue on PA 166
0.3 mi·30 sec·Tower Hill Road
9
Turn slight right onto New Salem Road
2.7 mi·4 min·New Salem Road
10
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·Front Street
11
Continue on West Main Street
0.4 mi·43 sec·West Main Street
12
Continue on New Salem Road
4.9 mi·8 min·New Salem Road
13
Turn right onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·National Pike
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 119
15 mi·17 min·US 119
16
Take the exit
244 ft·6 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 982
7.9 mi·13 min·Pleasant Valley Road
18
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·PA 31
19
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·33 sec
20
Turn left
28 ft·3 sec
21
Take the ramp
493 ft·12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
23
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
267 mi·4 hr 52 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 42Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
25
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft·8 sec·Pennsylvania Turnpike
26
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft·8 sec
Toward US 13 South: BristolUse the right lane.
27
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
28
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Jefferson Avenue
30
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Pond Street
31
Turn left
91 ft·12 sec
32
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 313.3-mile trek, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier highway segments. Since you only need to plan for one major stop, choose a location along the Pennsylvania Turnpike that allows you to refuel and stretch your legs without adding unnecessary time to your 6-hour and 11-minute estimate. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the long, 267.6-mile stretch on the turnpike limits your immediate access to off-road service stations. Flexibility is a major advantage on this route, so don't hesitate to pull over if you feel fatigue setting in during the longer segments. Always monitor real-time traffic updates for the Turnpike, as construction or accidents can significantly impact your travel time.
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 156.6 miles from Palmer, PA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.6 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 69 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 16m 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 6m
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 Palmer, 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 Palmer, PA
This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Palmer, 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 267.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 13 and 311.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13 mi into trip|~28m in|US 40 / National Pike
Turn right onto US 40 / National Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
13.6 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
42.9 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the ramp toward PATP, I 70, I 76
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
6
310.7 mi into trip|~6h 5m 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
311.8 mi into trip|~6h 7m 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
$49.96 one way
$99.91 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$55.28
$110.57
premium
$4.81
$59.30
$118.61
diesel
$4.80
$59.16
$118.31
Estimated Tolls: $34.78
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(267.6 mi)$34.78
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
$50
Tolls
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94
1
$32.90
$15.04
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
EV Truck/SUV
125.3
1
$43.86
$20.05
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Palmer, PA
Afternoon
in Palmer on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bristol, PA
Afternoon
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
157 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
6h 11m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 280.9
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
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 183.7
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 75.6
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
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 216.1
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 291.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm during the 267.6-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which makes up the vast majority of your journey. While the transition onto US 119 and Pleasant Valley Road breaks up the monotony, the overall experience remains one of efficient, high-speed transit. Expect a predictable, steady drive that favors speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Being prepared for long, uninterrupted periods on the turnpike is key to maintaining a smooth pace from start to finish.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 267.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 119. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near US 40 / National Pike.
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 19 significant decision points across 313.3 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: at 13 miles (US 40 / National Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,373 ft23 ft
Total Climb
1,644 ft
Total Descent
2,583 ft
Highest Point
2,373 ft
~67.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,350 ft
Notable High Points
2,373 ft at ~67.1 miles+604 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Palmer, PA to Bristol, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 267.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.78 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 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13 miles (US 40 / National Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
