Origin
Bensalem, PA
Afternoon in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bensalem, PA to Charlestown, PA
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
185.6 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bensalem, PA
Haneul Trac
Charlestown, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Bensalem to Charlestown, you are looking at a 185.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes to complete. This route is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient option if you want to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance. Primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, this drive keeps you within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that favors speed and reliability over wandering detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.8 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a dominant highway experience, as 88% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. Your journey is anchored by a significant 162.4-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of the drive. While the initial leg focuses on high-speed interstate transit, the later portions transition onto Path Valley Road and Mountain Road, shifting the pace as you approach Charlestown. This combination creates a drive that starts with a steady, consistent flow and concludes with a more localized feel. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that gets you from start to finish with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 162.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Path Valley Road. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Knights Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 132 / Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Knights Road
Turn left onto Knights Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 132 / Street Road
Turn left onto PA 132 / Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP
8
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
165.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bensalem, PA to Charlestown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Loudon along the way.
Fort Loudon
165.6 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 162.4 mi | 2h 55m |
| Path Valley Road | 14.3 mi | 25m |
| Mountain Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Street Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Fort Loudon Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Buchanan Trail West | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Lincoln Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Willow Hill Interchange | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 162.4 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Charlestown, PA.
1
Start on this road
135 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Knights Road
261 ft
·
7 sec
·
Knights Road
3
Turn left onto PA 132
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Street Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
5
Merge onto US 1
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 276, PATP
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 276; PATP
162 mi
·
2 hr 55 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on Willow Hill Interchange
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Willow Hill Interchange
11
Turn right onto PA 75
14 mi
·
25 min
·
Path Valley Road
12
Continue on PA 75
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Loudon Road
13
Turn right onto Mountain Road
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Mountain Road
14
Turn sharp left onto PA 16
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Buchanan Trail West
15
Arrive at destination
PA 16
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3 hour and 37 minute drive, you have the flexibility to complete it in one go, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the 162.4-mile section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to ensure you are comfortable with your range. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion on the main turnpike segments. Because the route relies so heavily on major highways, check for real-time traffic updates before departing to navigate any unexpected construction or delays. Utilizing your single planned stop strategically will keep you refreshed for the final transition onto the regional roads leading into Charlestown.
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 92.8 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.4 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.8 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlestown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bensalem, 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 Bensalem, PA
This is one driving day of about 185.6 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bensalem, 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 162.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.8 mi from Bensalem, PA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.8 miles from Bensalem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.4 miles.
Arriving in Charlestown, PA
The final approach into Charlestown, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Charlestown, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.71 one way
$61.42 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $33.61 | $67.21 |
| premium | $4.92 | $35.97 | $71.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.23 | $82.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $21.11
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(162.4 mi)
$21.11
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
$31
Tolls
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.49 | $8.91 |
| Efficient EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.24 | $7.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.98 | $11.88 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Charlestown, PA
Afternoon in Charlestown on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bensalem, PA to Charlestown, PA covers 185.6 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Path Valley Road, Mountain Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.8 miles from Bensalem, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 132 / Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bensalem, PA to Charlestown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Loudon along the way.
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