Origin
Zion, PA
Morning in Zion on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Zion, PA to Bristol, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
217.5 mi
350 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zion, PA
Haneul Trac
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Zion, PA to Bristol, PA is 217.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 9 minutes via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across Pennsylvania, primarily utilizing major highways as you travel from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is a solid option for a straightforward journey. You'll encounter a mix of driving conditions, so be prepared for varying speeds and road types as you make your way 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
108.7 miles from Zion, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 103 mi | 1h 53m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 74.6 mi | 1h 20m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 23.6 mi | 26m |
| Nittany Valley Drive | 11.4 mi | 17m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Zion Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Beaver Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zion, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on PA 550
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Zion Road
2
Turn left onto PA 64
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
East College Avenue
3
Continue on PA 64
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Nittany Valley Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
5
Merge onto I 80; US 220
103 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Keystone Shortway
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
9
Merge onto I 476; PATP
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 276; PATP
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
13
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Use the right lane.
15
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
16
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
18
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pond Street
19
Turn left
91 ft
·
12 sec
20
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for potential traffic or an unscheduled stop. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 103-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway where services might be less frequent. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, but planning your fuel stops strategically will prevent any unnecessary delays.
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 108.7 miles from Zion, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
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 Zion, 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 Zion, PA
This is one driving day of about 217.5 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Zion, 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 103 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Zion, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 115.3 and 215.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
115.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
191.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
214.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m 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
215.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m 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
$36.06 one way
$72.12 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.49 | $78.99 |
| premium | $4.93 | $42.18 | $84.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.02 | $96.04 |
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
$36
Tolls
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.84 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.03 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.45 | $13.92 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Bristol, PA
Morning in Bristol on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live 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
21 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
4h 9m 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 187.5
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 195
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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 195
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 187.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed drive experience, with 45% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Keystone Shortway, including a long stretch of 103 miles without a major road change. As you transition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and then the Pennsylvania Turnpike, expect a shift to faster-paced driving. This route balances open highway cruising with sections that may require more attention as you navigate through diverse Pennsylvania landscapes.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103 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 115.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 217.5 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 115.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Zion, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
115.3 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Allentown
115.3 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 217.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bristol, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Bristol, PA
Explore more options from Zion, PA or browse trips ending in Bristol, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.