Origin
Catasauqua, PA
Night in Catasauqua on Friday
Local time
9:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catasauqua, PA to Bristol, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
71.7 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catasauqua, PA
Haneul Trac
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Catasauqua, PA to Bristol, PA is 71.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 28 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to itself. It’s a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major turnpikes. With a recommended single day for completion, it's a convenient option for those looking for an efficient journey without extensive scenic detours, suitable for a quick transit or an easy day trip.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 84% of it on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll experience the efficiency of turnpike travel for most of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.9 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a good opportunity to maintain a steady pace. Expect a consistent driving experience, characterized by smooth, high-speed travel with limited interruptions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 36.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Harrisburg
7
7.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, Scranton
7
8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
6
45.3 mi into trip
|
~54m 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
8
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catasauqua, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Scranton.
Patp
7.4 mi in
|
~12m
Scranton
7.4 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 36.9 mi | 39m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 23.6 mi | 26m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Pine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mickley Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| MacArthur Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 36.9 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catasauqua, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
364 ft
·
11 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Bridge Street
444 ft
·
23 sec
·
Bridge Street
3
Turn right onto Front Street
435 ft
·
21 sec
·
Front Street
4
Turn left onto Pine Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pine Street
5
Turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
6
Continue on Mickley Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mickley Road
7
Turn left onto PA 145
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
MacArthur Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 22 West: Harrisburg
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 22
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward PATP, I 476 Toll: Philadelphia, Scranton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 476 South: Philadelphia
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 476; PATP
37 mi
·
39 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 276; PATP
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
16
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
19
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
21
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pond Street
22
Turn left
91 ft
·
12 sec
23
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.8 mi from Catasauqua, PA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.8 miles from Catasauqua, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bristol, PA
The final approach into Bristol, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.77 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.02 | $26.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.91 | $27.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.83 | $31.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.21
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(60.5 mi)
$7.87
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(4.8 mi)
$0.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$8
Total
$20
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.27 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Bristol, PA
Night in Bristol on Friday
Local time
9:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 28m 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 Catasauqua, PA to Bristol, PA covers 71.7 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lehigh Valley Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.8 miles from Catasauqua, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Catasauqua, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Scranton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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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