Origin
Ellwood City, PA
Evening in Ellwood City on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellwood City, PA to Bristol, PA
Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
353.4 mi
569 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 22m
★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 43m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellwood City, PA
Jack Pace
Bristol, PA
Jay Brand
Trip Overview
Spanning 353.4 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Ellwood City to Bristol typically takes about 5 hours and 23 minutes of active driving time. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like Fountain Avenue, 5th Street, and East Lawrence Avenue rather than interstates, you should budget for a full day behind the wheel. Expect to spend approximately $57 on fuel for the trip. While it is possible to complete this drive in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the path means it requires your full attention. It serves as a direct, non-highway connection between two points in the Northeast, offering a steady pace rather than a quick sprint. Plan accordingly if you prefer to avoid the intensity of a long, local-road-only transit in one go.
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
176.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a highly interactive experience, as this route features a 0% highway share and relies on local thoroughfares throughout the entire distance. With a longest uninterrupted stretch of 0 miles on Fountain Avenue, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns and transitions rather than settling into a cruise-controlled highway rhythm. The drive maintains a consistent, technical feel that demands constant engagement with the road. Unlike a typical interstate commute, this path forces you to focus on the nuances of local streets and intersections. It is best described as a turn-heavy local drive that changes little in intensity from start to finish, requiring you to remain alert through every mile of the 353.4-mile journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 345.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,107 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
1,691 ft
Total Descent
2,555 ft
Highest Point
2,107 ft
~103.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,084 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Big Beaver Boulevard. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 353.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 (PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
|
PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue
Turn right onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 76
Navigation decision point
Toward I 76
6
350.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
8
351.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 345.4 mi | 6h 16m |
| Big Beaver Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| River Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Lawrence Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Arthur Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 345.4 mi, about 6h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellwood City, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Way
36 ft
·
4 sec
·
Keystone Way
2
Turn right onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
220 ft
·
11 sec
·
Fountain Avenue
3
Turn left onto PA 351 Truck
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
5th Street
4
Turn right onto PA 351
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Lawrence Avenue
5
Continue on PA 351
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
River Road
6
Turn right onto PA 351
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Arthur Street
7
Turn left onto PA 18
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Big Beaver Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on PA 18
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Big Beaver Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 76
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
345 mi
·
6 hr 16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 42
Toward US 13: Levittown, Bristol
12
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike
360 ft
·
8 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Keep slight right at fork
357 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 13 South: Bristol
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bristol Pike
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight left onto Beaver Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Beaver Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
17
Turn right onto Pond Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pond Street
18
Turn left
91 ft
·
12 sec
19
Arrive at destination
1 ft
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 23 minute duration spent entirely on local roads, hitting the road early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. Since you have only one planned stop, make sure to scout your location in advance, as local routes offer fewer traditional highway rest areas. Keep your navigation system running consistently, as the reliance on Fountain Avenue and 5th Street means you will encounter numerous turns where a missed exit could add significant time to your trip. Budgeting $57 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for unexpected detours. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to prioritize comfort in your vehicle, as the lack of highway miles means you will be braking and accelerating much more frequently than on a standard interstate route.
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 176.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 345.4 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 18m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bristol, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellwood City, 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 Ellwood City, PA
This is one driving day of about 353.4 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ellwood City, 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 345.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176.7 mi from Ellwood City, PA · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 176.7 miles from Ellwood City, 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 345.4 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bristol, 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
$58.48 one way
$116.96 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $63.99 | $127.98 |
| premium | $4.92 | $68.48 | $136.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $78.51 | $157.03 |
Estimated Tolls: $44.91
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(345.4 mi)
$44.91
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
$58
Tolls
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$128–$153
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106 | 1 | $37.11 | $16.96 |
| Efficient EV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.92 | $14.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.4 | 1 | $49.48 | $22.62 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Bristol, PA
Evening in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
6:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
177 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
4 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 34m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ellwood City, PA to Bristol, PA covers 353.4 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Big Beaver Boulevard, River 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 176.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 353.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 (PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck / Fountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (PA 18 / Big Beaver Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Ellwood City, PA to Bristol, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 23 ft to 2,107 ft elevation with about 1,691 ft of total climbing.
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