This 307.4-mile journey from Swissvale, Pennsylvania, to Bensalem, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Primarily following the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East, this route offers a direct, highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $51, it's an economical trip for covering ground efficiently. You'll be spending nearly all of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive across Pennsylvania. Given its duration and highway nature, this trip is well-suited for a one-day excursion without the need for 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
153.7 miles from Swissvale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
296.1 mi
5h 22m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
7.7 mi
10m
Street Road
1.7 mi
2m
South Braddock Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Westmoreland Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Knights Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Columbia Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 296.1 mi, about 5h 22m
Traffic on I-376
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,320 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
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 Swissvale, PA and Bensalem, PA.
1
Start on Columbia Avenue
59 ft·6 sec·Columbia Avenue
2
Turn left onto Westmoreland Avenue
0.2 mi·49 sec·Westmoreland Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Green Belt
512 ft·21 sec·South Braddock Avenue
4
Continue on South Braddock Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·South Braddock Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
6
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
7.7 mi·10 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Exit 85Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·30 sec·this road
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 76 East: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
296 mi·5 hr 22 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto PA 132
1.7 mi·2 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right onto Knights Road
261 ft·8 sec·Knights Road
14
Turn right
135 ft·9 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 41 minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Bensalem, PA. Given the 307.4 miles and the longest stretch being 296.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan for a single, substantial stop about midway for fuel and a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $51, so factor that into your budget. Be aware that much of this route is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which can have tolls, so ensure you're prepared for that aspect of the journey.
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 153.7 miles from Swissvale, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 296.1 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 68 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.7 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m
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 Swissvale, 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 Swissvale, PA
This is one driving day of about 307.4 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Swissvale, 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 296.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 305.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Green Belt / South Braddock Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Green Belt / South Braddock Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
8.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 85
Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
8
8.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
305.2 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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
$49.01 one way
$98.03 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$54.24
$108.49
premium
$4.81
$58.19
$116.38
diesel
$4.80
$58.04
$116.09
Estimated Tolls: $38.50
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(296.1 mi)$38.50
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
$49
Tolls
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$113–$138
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.2
1
$32.28
$14.76
Efficient EV
76.9
0
$26.90
$12.30
EV Truck/SUV
123
1
$43.04
$19.67
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Swissvale, PA
Afternoon
in Swissvale on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 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
Bensalem, PA
Afternoon
in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 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
154 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
1 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 41m 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.
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 180.2
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 275.6
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 74.2
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 222.6
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
near mile 286.2
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
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 286.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the 307.4 miles on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 296.1 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. This route is characterized by its speed and efficiency, with the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East and Street Road also featuring prominently. The personality of this road is that of a workhorse, designed for covering distance quickly rather than for scenic detours.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 296.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Green Belt / South Braddock Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 307.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Green Belt / South Braddock Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 307.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 296.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $38.50 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 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Green Belt / South Braddock Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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.
