Origin
Bensalem, PA
Evening in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 51m
Distance
313.7 mi
505 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bensalem, PA
Haneul Trac
Pittsburgh, PA
LaMont L. Johnson
Spanning 313.7 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip connects the suburbs of Bensalem to the heart of Pittsburgh in approximately 5 hours and 51 minutes. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, it is well-suited for a single-day drive if you are comfortable with a steady pace. You should budget roughly $52 for fuel to complete the journey. While you could technically push through in one go, planning for at least one strategic stop will help you stay fresh behind the wheel. The drive transitions you from the Northeast corner of the state toward the western edge, offering a direct path across the Commonwealth.
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
156.8 miles from Bensalem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience with 98% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a massive 295.6-mile uninterrupted stretch of your journey. As you move toward the finish, you will transition onto the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East to navigate into Pittsburgh. This is not a route defined by backroads or technical turns, but rather a straightforward, high-speed transit across the state. Prepare for a consistent, steady pace that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Penn-Lincoln Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 313.7 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Take the exit toward I 376 West, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 Business, I 376 West, US 22 West: Monroeville, Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 295.6 mi | 5h 21m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Street Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Lincoln Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Second Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ross Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Fifth Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Knights Road
Turn left onto PA 132
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 276; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 376; US 22
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Turn right onto Grant Street
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to minimize potential traffic congestion as you approach the Pittsburgh metro area. Since this route involves a long, continuous stretch on the Turnpike, use your single recommended stop to stretch your legs and refuel well before you hit the final parkway approach. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimate can fluctuate based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route relies so heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, ensure you have your toll payment method ready to avoid delays. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, building in an extra break will make the nearly six-hour duration feel significantly less taxing.
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.
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 156.8 miles or 2h 53m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 313.7 miles and 5h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.8 mi from Bensalem, PA · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 156.8 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 295.6 miles.
The final approach into Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, 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.
Regular Gas
$51.91 one way
$103.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $56.80 | $113.60 |
| premium | $4.92 | $60.79 | $121.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.69 | $139.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $38.43
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
$52
Tolls
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$115–$140
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.94 | $15.06 |
| Efficient EV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.45 | $12.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.5 | 1 | $43.92 | $20.08 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
157 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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