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Trip from Allentown, PA to Big Beaver, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 2m

Distance

315 mi

507 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 50m ★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Big Beaver, PA, PA

Big Beaver, PA

@coldbeer

Trip Overview

This 315-mile journey from Allentown to Big Beaver, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward drive primarily utilizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 2 minutes on the road, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $52. Given its highway-focused profile and an 81% highway share, this drive is best suited for those who prefer covering distance efficiently. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 217.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route stays within the Northeast region of the US, offering a consistent driving experience across the state.

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

157.5 miles from Allentown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 217.3 mi 3h 57m
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Tilghman Street 5 mi 8m
Harrisburg Pike 1 mi 2m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 0.7 mi <1m
Shenango Road 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 217.3 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Big Beaver, PA.

1

Start on Tilghman Street

5.0 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 22 West: Harrisburg
3

Merge onto US 22

0.7 mi · 54 sec · Lehigh Valley Thruway
4

Merge onto I 78; US 22

43 mi · 51 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on I 78; US 22

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
7

Merge onto I 81

37 mi · 44 min · I 81
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

201 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 11 South Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto US 11

1.0 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 76; PATP

217 mi · 3 hr 57 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 10 Toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 376 Toll West: New Castle
16

Keep slight right at fork

501 ft · 17 sec
17

Turn right onto Shenango Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Shenango Road
18

Turn left onto Foxwood Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Foxwood Road
19

Turn right onto Valley Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Valley Drive
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Allentown to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially if you plan to complete it in a single day. With the longest stretch of 217.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan at least one significant stop for fuel and a break roughly halfway through your journey. While you'll have one scheduled stop in the data, be prepared for additional needs. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure your tank is full before you leave, as gas stations can be spaced out on longer highway segments.

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 157.5 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.3 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 69 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 157.5 miles or 3h 7m 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 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Beaver, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Allentown, 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 Allentown, PA

This is one driving day of about 315 miles and 6h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Allentown, 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 217.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city of Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oil City, PA

158 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

York, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.5 miles from Allentown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 217.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 56.5 and 313.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
56.5 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
8
93.8 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
94.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 11 South
7
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
313.1 mi into trip | ~5h 57m in

Take the exit toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 10 Toward I 376: New Castle, Pittsburgh

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.22 one way

$104.45 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $57.20 $114.39
premium $4.93 $61.09 $122.18
diesel $5.61 $69.55 $139.10

Estimated Tolls: $28.30

Pennsylvania Turnpike (217.3 mi) $28.25
Lehigh Valley Thruway (0.7 mi) $0.05

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

$52

Tolls

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$106–$131

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.5 1 $33.07 $15.12
Efficient EV 78.8 0 $27.56 $12.60
EV Truck/SUV 126 1 $44.10 $20.16

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Allentown, PA

Morning in Allentown on Sunday

Local time

10:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Big Beaver, PA

Morning in Big Beaver on Sunday

Local time

10:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Oil City, PA

158 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

20 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

6h 2m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 97.8
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 54.3
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 206.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 184.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 81% of the route consisting of major highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81. You'll encounter long stretches of fast-paced driving, particularly during the 217.3-mile segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the William Penn Highway offers a change of pace, the overall character is one of efficient travel on well-maintained roadways. Be prepared for a consistent driving rhythm, as the landscape shifts gradually rather than dramatically.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 315 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 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Allentown, PA and Big Beaver, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.

Middlesex

93.8 mi in | ~1h 54m

Patp

95.1 mi in | ~1h 57m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 315 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 217.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $28.30 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Big Beaver, 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 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 93.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Beaver, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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