Slippery Rock, PA to Bristol, PA is 360.8 miles and takes about 6h 43m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing from the Northeast region to its eastern edge. Most of the drive uses surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the state. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a straightforward transit across the state, suitable if you're looking for a direct route without extensive highway cruising.
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
180.4 miles from Slippery Rock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
246.9 mi
4h 27m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23.6 mi
26m
William Flinn Highway
4.5 mi
6m
Franklin Road
2.9 mi
4m
Pittsburgh Road
2.2 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Franklin Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 246.9 mi, about 4h 27m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,479
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 Slippery Rock, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on PA 173
43 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto PA 108; PA 173
0.6 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on PA 108
2.9 mi·4 min·Franklin Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 8
2.4 mi·3 min·William Flinn Highway
5
Continue on PA 8
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
6
Continue on PA 8
2.1 mi·3 min·William Flinn Highway
7
Continue on PA 8
2.2 mi·3 min·Pittsburgh Road
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
9
Merge onto I 80
247 mi·4 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Given the 6h 43m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Slippery Rock will allow you to reach Bristol with ample daylight. The route has one recommended stop, but with a significant portion on surface roads, you'll likely encounter numerous smaller towns with opportunities for quick breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $64, gas stations can be less frequent on some of the surface road sections. Pay attention to local speed limits, as they can change often when you're not on the turnpike.
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 180.4 miles from Slippery Rock, PA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.9 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 22m 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 33m
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 Slippery Rock, 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 Slippery Rock, PA
This is one driving day of about 360.8 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Slippery Rock, 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 246.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 359.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 108; PA 173 / Franklin Street
Turn right onto PA 108; PA 173 / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
259.6 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
334.4 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
358.3 mi into trip|~6h 37m 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
359.3 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
$57.53 one way
$115.06 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$63.67
$127.33
premium
$4.81
$68.30
$136.59
diesel
$4.80
$68.13
$136.25
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
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.2
1
$37.88
$17.32
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
EV Truck/SUV
144.3
1
$50.51
$23.09
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Slippery Rock, PA
Late night
in Slippery Rock on Sunday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Smoke
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Late night
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
2:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
11 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 43m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 335.9
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
~33 min detour
$1
near mile 335.9
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 335.9
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 335.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only 27% on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on local routes. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 246.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Expect frequent changes in speed limits and a noticeable increase in intersections as you transition from any highway segments to the more populated surface roads closer to Bristol.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 108; PA 173 / Franklin Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 360.8 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: near the start (PA 108; PA 173 / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 259.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,596 ft23 ft
Total Climb
1,205 ft
Total Descent
2,481 ft
Highest Point
1,596 ft
~51.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,573 ft
Notable High Points
1,389 ft at ~257.7 miles+505 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Slippery Rock, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 43m. Total distance: 360.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246.9 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.
Yes — we found about 35 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 108; PA 173 / Franklin Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 259.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.4 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
