Russell, PA to Bristol, PA is 346 miles and takes about 7 hours and 2 minutes via Keystone Shortway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Pennsylvania for its entirety, moving from the Northeast region to the same region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving on this route. It's a solid option if you're looking for a one-day drive across the state that doesn't require 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173 miles from Russell, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
165.4 mi
3h
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23.6 mi
26m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.4 mi
11m
Market Street
6.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 165.4 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,067 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,528
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Russell, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
54 ft·3 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Street
3
Turn slight right onto Liberty Street
175 ft·13 sec·Liberty Street
4
Turn left onto US 62
6.8 mi·7 min·Market Street
5
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Hickory Street
7
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi·24 sec·Hickory Bridge
8
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi·57 sec·Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi·3 min·Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
13
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
15
Take the exit
265 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
16
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
17
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
18
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
19
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
20
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
21
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
22
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
23
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
24
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
25
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
165 mi·3 hr·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Russell, PA, aiming to arrive in Bristol, PA before evening. With only 2 recommended stops, you can afford to be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 165.4-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $58 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices will be helpful. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on how you feel.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173 miles from Russell, PA, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 76 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173 miles or 3h 48m 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 52m
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 Russell, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Russell, PA
This is one driving day of about 346 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Russell, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 165.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 344.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.6 mi into trip|~10m in|Crescent Park
Turn left onto Crescent Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
244.7 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
319.6 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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
343.4 mi into trip|~6h 56m 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
344.4 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
$57.81 one way
$115.62 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$63.63
$127.26
premium
$5.01
$68.27
$136.55
diesel
$5.60
$76.27
$152.54
Estimated Tolls: $12.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(98.2 mi)$12.76
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
$58
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.8
1
$36.33
$16.61
Efficient EV
86.5
0
$30.28
$13.84
EV Truck/SUV
138.4
1
$48.44
$22.14
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Aug 11, 2026
Origin
Russell, PA
Night
in Russell on Tuesday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 11 at 9:37AM EDT until August 11 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 11 at 7:06AM EDT until August 12 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Bristol, PA
Night
in Bristol on Tuesday
Local time
11:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 11 at 9:37AM EDT until August 11 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued August 11 at 7:06AM EDT until August 12 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
12 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
7h 2m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 322.1
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 322.1
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 322.1
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 322.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 36% of this 346-mile drive on highways. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 165.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, indicated by the mixed highway and surface profile. Prepare for a change from potentially faster highway speeds to more varied conditions on local routes.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 around 7.6 miles in near Crescent Park.
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 27 significant decision points across 346 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 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 244.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 319.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,884 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,047 ft
Total Descent
3,274 ft
Highest Point
1,884 ft
~71.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,861 ft
Notable High Points
1,739 ft at ~238 miles+662 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Russell, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 346 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.76 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.
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 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 244.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 319.6 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
