Punxsutawney to Bensalem is 294.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 28 minutes via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region into a more central part of the state before heading east. Expect a mixed driving experience, with a significant portion on major highways. It's a solid one-day trip if you get an early start, offering a straightforward path to your destination.
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
147.3 miles from Punxsutawney, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
175.3 mi
3h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18 mi
19m
Ridge Avenue
13.4 mi
16m
Blinker Parkway
2.8 mi
3m
US 219
2.7 mi
3m
Street Road
1.7 mi
2m
East DuBois Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 175.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,504
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Punxsutawney, PA and Bensalem, PA.
1
Start on US 119; PA 36
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Mahoning Street
2
Turn left onto US 119
0.2 mi·14 sec·Hampton Avenue
3
Continue on US 119
13 mi·16 min·Ridge Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 119
1.0 mi·1 min·Sykes Street
5
Continue on US 119
2.8 mi·3 min·Blinker Parkway
6
Continue on US 119
523 ft·11 sec·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
7
Turn left onto US 219
2.7 mi·3 min·US 219
8
At end of road, turn right onto PA 255
1.4 mi·2 min·East DuBois Avenue
9
Continue on PA 255
1.1 mi·1 min·Bee Line Highway
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
175 mi·3 hr 10 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 132
1.7 mi·2 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn right onto Knights Road
261 ft·8 sec·Knights Road
21
Turn right
135 ft·9 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 28 minute duration, leaving Punxsutawney in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. The drive is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer stretches on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. A good pacing strategy would be to make one substantial stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 175.3-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway and ensure you arrive in Bensalem refreshed.
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 147.3 miles from Punxsutawney, PA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.3 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 65 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
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 Punxsutawney, 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 Punxsutawney, PA
This is one driving day of about 294.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Punxsutawney, 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 175.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 292.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 119 / Hampton Avenue
Turn left onto US 119 / Hampton Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allen...
6
199.3 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
274.2 mi into trip|~5h 4m 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
292.5 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$46.97 one way
$93.95 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$51.98
$103.97
premium
$4.81
$55.77
$111.53
diesel
$4.80
$55.63
$111.25
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
$47
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.24
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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
Punxsutawney, PA
Afternoon
in Punxsutawney on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Smoke
S 0 to 3 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bensalem, PA
Afternoon
in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
6 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 274.3
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 274.3
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 274.3
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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 274.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed drive profile, with about 33% of it on highways. You'll spend a substantial amount of time on the Keystone Shortway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 175.3 miles. As you progress, the drive transitions, incorporating sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the main Pennsylvania Turnpike. This means you'll experience both faster-paced highway driving and potentially some more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 0.2 miles in near US 119 / Hampton Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 294.6 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 0.2 miles (US 119 / Hampton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,602 ft104 ft
Total Climb
2,052 ft
Total Descent
3,180 ft
Highest Point
1,602 ft
~63.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,498 ft
Notable High Points
1,537 ft at ~105.2 miles+510 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Punxsutawney, PA and Bensalem, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Punxsutawney is a borough in southern Jefferson County in the Pennsylvania Wilds, famous nationwide for Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog of Groundhog Day fame, who is traditionally said to determine for the nation whether summer will come sooner or later. Upon popping out of bed on the second of February, if he sees his shadow and returns to the security of his hole in fright, then — so the story goes — the U.S. can be assured that it will be in for a cold, long, rainy spring! See North American wildlife for more on the species.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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.
Yes — we found about 25 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 119 / Hampton Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bensalem, PA before the return drive.
