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Trip from Bristol, PA to Bessemer, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 51m

Distance

367.4 mi

591 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 40m ★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 15m
10 AM
7h 0m
12 PM
6h 57m
3 PM
7h 1m
5 PM
7h 14m
8 PM
6h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States

Bristol, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bessemer, PA, PA

Bessemer, PA

Haberdoedas Photography

Trip Overview

The drive from Bristol, PA to Bessemer, PA covers 367.4 miles and takes about 6h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, Beaver Valley Expressway, East Poland Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 349.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.91 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

183.7 miles from Bristol, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 349.3 mi 6h 21m
Beaver Valley Expressway 8.6 mi 9m
East Poland Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
Mount Jackson Road 2.1 mi 3m
Mohawk School Road 1.1 mi 1m
Bristol Pike 0.7 mi 1m
Jefferson Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Edinburg Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 349.3 mi, about 6h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Bessemer, PA.

1

Start on this road

158 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Washington Street

506 ft · 27 sec · Washington Street
3

Turn left onto Wood Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · Wood Street
4

Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Avenue
5

At end of road, turn right onto Beaver Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Beaver Street
6

Turn slight right onto US 13

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bristol Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

0.6 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York Use the left lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 95

1.2 mi · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP

348 mi · 6 hr 18 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit 40 Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 10 Toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 376 Toll West: New Castle
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 376 Toll West: New Castle
14

Merge onto I 376 Toll

8.6 mi · 9 min · Beaver Valley Expressway
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 108: Mount Jackson
16

Turn left onto PA 108

2.1 mi · 3 min · Mount Jackson Road
17

Turn right onto PA 317; PA 551

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Edinburg Road
18

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 317

1.1 mi · 1 min · Mohawk School Road
19

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 317

2.2 mi · 4 min · East Poland Avenue
20

Turn left onto South Main Street

88 ft · 3 sec · South Main Street
21

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.7 miles from Bristol, PA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 349.3 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 81 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 183.7 miles or 3h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bessemer, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bristol, 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 Bristol, PA

This is one driving day of about 367.4 miles and 6h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Bristol, 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 349.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

184 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

Westminster, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 183.7 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 349.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.9

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14128269680

Visit website

Fratelli's Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burlington, New Jersey

1.6 mi

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 314.9

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14128269680

Visit website

Fratelli's Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Burlington, New Jersey

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16095262746

Visit website

Hartwood Restaurant & Whispers Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 314.9

Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+14127673500

Visit website

Jillian’s Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $100 or ab mile 314.9

New Kensington, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14124801170

Visit website

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 314.9

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14129680848

Visit website

The Barn Restaurant at Allenberry

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 131.2

Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17172583211

Visit website

Hallowed Grounds Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 367.4

New Middletown, Ohio

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+13303665075

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 288.7

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 288.7

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 288.7

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 288.7

Adamsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 288.7

Herminie, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 288.7

Hunker, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 26.2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12152475777

Visit website

Elmwood Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 26.2

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16102773825

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 105

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

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 0 and 351.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Washington Street

Turn right onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

8
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | Pennsylvania Turnpike

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York
8
2.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg
9
3.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 40 Toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg
8
351.5 mi into trip | ~6h 27m in

Take the exit toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 10 Toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.91 one way

$121.82 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $66.71 $133.42
premium $4.93 $71.25 $142.50
diesel $5.61 $81.12 $162.23

Estimated Tolls: $45.42

Pennsylvania Turnpike (349.3 mi) $45.42

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

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$131–$156

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 128.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 110.2 1 $38.58 $17.64
Efficient EV 91.9 1 $32.15 $14.70
EV Truck/SUV 147 1 $51.44 $23.51

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Bristol, PA

Afternoon in Bristol on Saturday

Local time

2:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

NE 5 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bessemer, PA

Afternoon in Bessemer on Saturday

Local time

2:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

184 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

11 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

6h 51m 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

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 38
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 139.4
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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 ~15 min detour Free near mile 240.7
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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 ~33 min detour Free near mile 88.7
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

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 ~33 min detour $1 near mile 25.3
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

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 ~34 min detour Free near mile 25.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

367.4 mi in 6h 51m, mostly highway — 349.3 mi of that is on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 349.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Beaver Valley Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 367.4 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: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Pennsylvania Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 51m. Total distance: 367.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 349.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $45.42 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 Bessemer, 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: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Pennsylvania Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bessemer, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

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