This 114.2-mile drive from Abbottstown, PA to Allentown, PA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. The route primarily follows the William Penn Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway, and Baltimore Pike, offering a local driving experience with a relatively low highway share of 16%. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this journey through Pennsylvania's Northeast region is economical. Consider this a straightforward, turn-heavy local drive perfect for a leisurely day trip.
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
57.1 miles from Abbottstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
18.3 mi
21m
Baltimore Pike
9.3 mi
16m
US 15
9.2 mi
12m
I 83
8.6 mi
11m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
North Queen Street
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 42.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abbottstown, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on this road
165 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn left
64 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto West Fleet Street
130 ft·11 sec·West Fleet Street
4
Turn left onto PA 194
197 ft·5 sec·South Queen Street
5
Enter roundabout onto PA 194
93 ft·2 sec·North Queen Street
6
Continue on PA 194
3.6 mi·6 min·North Queen Street
7
Continue on PA 194
0.6 mi·1 min·Harrisburg Street
8
Continue on PA 194
9.3 mi·16 min·Baltimore Pike
9
Continue on PA 194
1.2 mi·2 min·Baltimore Road
10
Continue on PA 194
0.1 mi·12 sec·Baltimore Street
11
Continue on PA 194
0.4 mi·46 sec·Baltimore Road
12
Continue on PA 194
2.2 mi·4 min·South Baltimore Street
13
Take the ramp onto PA 74
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 74
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 15
4.1 mi·5 min·US 15
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 15
5.1 mi·7 min·US 15
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward PA 581 East: Harrisburg, YorkUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto PA 581
1.5 mi·2 min·American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
18
Continue on PA 581
0.3 mi·21 sec·American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Exit 6AToward I 83 North: Harrisburg, Hershey
19
Merge onto I 83
4.6 mi·6 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto I 83
4.0 mi·5 min·I 83
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State CollegeUse the slight left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·47 sec
Exit 51BToward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
22
Merge onto I 81
18 mi·21 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
24
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
25
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 34-minute duration, this 114.2-mile trip is ideal for a single day. You can depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, leaving plenty of time for activities at your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $19, flexibility is key. Since the longest stretch is 42.8 miles on the William Penn Highway, plan your mid-drive break after this segment to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on local traffic, especially as you navigate through towns along the route.
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 57.1 miles from Abbottstown, PA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 25 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allentown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abbottstown, 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 Abbottstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 114.2 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Abbottstown, 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 42.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.3 and 109.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
27.3 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward PA 581 East: Harrisburg, York
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 PA 581 East: Harrisburg, York
7
34.2 mi into trip|~55m in|I 83
Take the exit onto I 83 toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
38.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51B
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
9
108.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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...
6
109.1 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward Cetronia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cetronia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.93 one way
$37.87 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.74
$41.47
premium
$4.93
$22.15
$44.30
diesel
$5.61
$25.21
$50.43
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1 mi)$0.07
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
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$9.99
$4.57
EV Truck/SUV
45.7
0
$15.99
$7.31
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Abbottstown, PA
Late night
in Abbottstown on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Harrisburg, PA
57 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
15 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 34m 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...
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 19.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 114.2-mile route. While only 16% of the journey is on highways, you'll experience varied road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 42.8 miles on the William Penn Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before transitioning back to more frequent turns. This drive emphasizes local roads, meaning you'll encounter more traffic signals and intersections compared to interstate travel, so be prepared for a dynamic driving experience.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.8 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 114.2 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 27.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Abbottstown, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward York, Hershey, State College and Lvi Airport.
York
27.3 mi in|~45m
Hershey
29.3 mi in|~48m|via PA 581
State College
34.2 mi in|~55m|via I 83
Lvi Airport
108.1 mi in|~2h 24m|via US 22
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 114.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.8 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Lehigh Valley Thruway. 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Allentown, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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 Allentown, PA before heading back.
