This 133.3-mile drive from Lykens, PA, to Bristol, PA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. You'll primarily be on the William Penn Highway and sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The drive is a mixed bag, so while it's not an overnight commitment, you'll want to be prepared for varied road conditions. It's a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.6 miles from Lykens, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
38 mi
45m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
36.9 mi
39m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23.6 mi
26m
Main Street
14.5 mi
22m
Lancaster Avenue
4.8 mi
7m
Bethel Road
2.9 mi
4m
South Tremont Road
2.3 mi
3m
I 81
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 38 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lykens, PA and Bristol, PA.
1
Start on Market Street
117 ft·9 sec·Market Street
2
Turn right onto US 209
14 mi·22 min·Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
4
Merge onto I 81
2.2 mi·2 min·I 81
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward PA 125: Ravine
6
Turn right onto Molleystown Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·Molleystown Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto PA 125
2.3 mi·3 min·South Tremont Road
8
Continue on PA 125
1.3 mi·3 min·North Tulpehocken Street
9
Turn left onto PA 895
0.2 mi·18 sec·East Wood Street
10
Continue on PA 895
0.4 mi·1 min·Rock Road
11
Turn right onto PA 501
2.9 mi·4 min·Bethel Road
12
Continue on PA 501
4.8 mi·7 min·Lancaster Avenue
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: AllentownUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 78; US 22
38 mi·45 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.3 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, ScrantonUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 476 South: PhiladelphiaUse the right lane.
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 50 minutes for this 133.3-mile trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider an early morning start to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Bristol, PA. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, keep an eye on your gauge, though you likely won't need frequent stops. The route involves a longest stretch of 38 miles on William Penn Highway, so plan your single stop either before or after this segment for maximum comfort. This drive is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.6 miles from Lykens, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38 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 29 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
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 Lykens, 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 Lykens, PA
This is one driving day of about 133.3 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Lykens, 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 William Penn Highway for about 38 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.6 and 131.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
29.6 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
9
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
7
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
7
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
8
131.8 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.10 one way
$44.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$24.20
$48.41
premium
$4.93
$25.85
$51.70
diesel
$5.61
$29.43
$58.86
Estimated Tolls: $7.96
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(60.5 mi)$7.87
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.3 mi)$0.09
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
$22
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40
0
$14.00
$6.40
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.66
$5.33
EV Truck/SUV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lykens, PA
Afternoon
in Lykens on Saturday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bristol, PA
Afternoon
in Bristol on Saturday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
12 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
2h 50m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 23
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 105.7
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
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 110.3
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 110.3
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 105.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile on this 133.3-mile trip. Roughly 47% of the journey involves highway driving, with some stretches requiring more attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38 miles along the William Penn Highway, offering a consistent pace before transitioning. The road character shifts, moving from more local thoroughfares to faster-paced turnpike sections. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous loop, but rather experience a dynamic drive as you cover the 2 hours and 50 minutes.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 133.3 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 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.8 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lykens, PA and Bristol, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport, Patp and Scranton.
Lvi Airport
67.8 mi in|~1h 32m|via US 22
Patp
69.2 mi in|~1h 34m
Scranton
69.2 mi in|~1h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 133.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.96 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.
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 Bristol, 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: at 29.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.8 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bristol, PA before heading back.
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.
