Bella's Restaurant & Pizzeria
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12158862266
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
267.4 mi
430 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
21 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brush Valley, PA
Brett Sayles
Croydon, PA to Brush Valley, PA is 267.4 miles and takes about 5h 22m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traveling entirely within Pennsylvania. It's a largely highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for efficiency. With only one recommended stop and a route that's mostly on the turnpike, this journey is well-suited for a single-day trip.
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
133.7 miles from Croydon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 206.1 mi | 3h 43m |
| Harold Avenue | 15.3 mi | 23m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Eichler Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Street Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Quaker Valley Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Scalp Avenue | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Bedford Street | 3.2 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Croydon, PA and Brush Valley, PA.
Start on State Road
Turn right onto Street Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 276; PATP
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Turn straight onto PA 56
Continue on PA 56
Continue on PA 56
Continue on PA 56
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
Continue on Scalp Avenue
Continue on Bedford Street
Continue on PA 271
Turn left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 403
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
At end of road, turn left onto Laurel Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto PA 56
Continue on PA 56
Turn left onto Valley View Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 22m duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Brush Valley before evening. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is 206.1 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too far onto that section. While only one stop is recommended, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause at a service plaza along the turnpike, especially since the drive is achievable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from the turnpike to local roads near Brush Valley.
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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 29m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brush Valley, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Croydon, 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 Croydon, PA
This is one driving day of about 267.4 miles and 5h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 133.7 miles from Croydon, 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 206.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12158862266
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Malvern, Pennsylvania
+16106445822
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+12674688000
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12152475777
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12156433131
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Oaks, Pennsylvania
Hours: 3–9 pm
+16106660600
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Street Road
Lane positioning matters here
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 Altoona, Johnstown
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 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$44.33 one way
$88.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $48.55 | $97.11 |
| premium | $4.93 | $51.86 | $103.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.04 | $118.08 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.80
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
$44
Tolls
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Bensalem, PA
12 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Bristol, PA
8 DCFC
Bensalem, PA Rechargery Relay - Bristol Road
Bensalem, PA
8 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Bensalem, PA
8 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Middletown Township, PA
8 DCFC
Simon Philadelphia Mills (Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia, PA
4 DCFC
Middletown Township Municipal Center
Langhorne, PA
4 DCFC
PREIT Willow Grove Park (Willow Grove, PA)
Willow Grove, PA
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.2 | 0 | $28.08 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.40 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.44 | $17.11 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Croydon on Saturday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Brush Valley on Saturday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused drive for this route, with 78% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including one continuous stretch of 206.1 miles. While the majority of the drive is on this high-speed corridor, the initial and final portions involve local roads like Harold Avenue and Clear Shade Drive. This means your experience will shift from open highway cruising to more local navigation as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Harold Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Street Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 267.4 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: at 1.6 miles (Street Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Croydon, PA and Brush Valley, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Altoona
Johnstown
Cessna
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 267.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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