Union City, PA to Bristol, PA is 380.9 miles and takes about 7h 31m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip cuts across Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, entirely within the state. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. With only one recommended day, it's a straightforward drive that can be completed without an overnight stop if you get an early start.
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
190.5 miles from Union City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
205.8 mi
3h 43m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23.6 mi
26m
Colonel Drake Highway
13.5 mi
19m
William Flinn Highway
12.4 mi
16m
Route 208
12.3 mi
18m
Titusville Road
5.7 mi
8m
Main Street
5.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 205.8 mi, about 3h 43m
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 Union City, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on US 6; PA 8
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on PA 8
3.1 mi·4 min·Titusville Road
3
Continue on PA 8
7.8 mi·10 min·William Flinn Highway
4
Continue on PA 8
1.6 mi·2 min·Erie Street
5
Continue on PA 8
4.6 mi·6 min·William Flinn Highway
6
Continue on PA 8
3.0 mi·4 min·Hydetown Road
7
Continue on PA 8
1.3 mi·3 min·West Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on PA 27
0.1 mi·21 sec·Diamond Street
9
Turn straight onto PA 27
2.1 mi·4 min·East Central Avenue
10
Continue on PA 27
2.6 mi·3 min·Titusville Road
11
Continue on PA 27; PA 227
1.3 mi·1 min·West State Street
12
Continue on PA 36
4.4 mi·6 min·Tionesta Road
13
Continue on PA 36
4.5 mi·6 min·Colonel Drake Highway
14
Turn left onto US 62; PA 36
0.3 mi·27 sec·Route 36 and 62
15
At end of road, turn right onto PA 36
0.5 mi·48 sec·Elm Street
16
Continue on PA 36
9.0 mi·13 min·Colonel Drake Highway
17
Continue on PA 208
5.0 mi·7 min·Route 208
18
Continue on PA 208
7.2 mi·10 min·Route 208
19
Continue on PA 208
0.4 mi·40 sec·North School Street
20
Turn left onto US 322
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
21
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
22
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
23
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
24
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
206 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
For this 7.5-hour drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you have ample daylight. You've got two stops factored in, which is a good pace for a single-day trip of this length. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the longer highway stretches; the $67 budget is an estimate, so monitor your gauge. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the main Pennsylvania Turnpike are toll roads, so be prepared for that. Given the 380.9 miles, it’s manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider splitting it near the halfway point.
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 190.5 miles from Union City, PA, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.8 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 84 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.5 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, PA
This is one driving day of about 380.9 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Union City, 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 205.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 278.8 and 379.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
278.8 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
279.7 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
354.5 mi into trip|~6h 57m 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
378.4 mi into trip|~7h 24m 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
379.4 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
$60.73 one way
$121.47 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$67.21
$134.42
premium
$4.81
$72.10
$144.20
diesel
$4.80
$71.92
$143.84
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
$61
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.3
1
$39.99
$18.28
Efficient EV
95.2
1
$33.33
$15.24
EV Truck/SUV
152.4
1
$53.33
$24.38
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Union City, PA
Late night
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Late night
in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
N 5 mph4% 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
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 31m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 354.6
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$1
near mile 354.6
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 354.6
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 354.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 380.9-mile route is about 30% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 205.8 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Expect a mixed driving experience with highway segments giving way to more varied traffic and exit patterns as you transition to surface roads. You'll notice a change in pace and road type as you move between these different driving environments.
30% 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: 205.8 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 278.8 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 380.9 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 278.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 354.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,778 ft23 ft
Total Climb
2,438 ft
Total Descent
3,677 ft
Highest Point
1,778 ft
~185.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,755 ft
Notable High Points
1,778 ft at ~185.3 miles+849 ft prominence
1,314 ft at ~264.7 miles+715 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union City, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 380.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m 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 205.8 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 33 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 278.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 354.5 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
