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Trip from Allentown, PA to Charleroi, PA

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

Drive Time

5h 15m

Distance

266.8 mi

429 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 2m ★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 25m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m

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

borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Charleroi, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 266.8-mile journey from Allentown, PA, to Charleroi, PA, is designed for a single day, with an estimated travel time of 5 hours and 15 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 77% of the drive on major roads, making it an efficient trip across Pennsylvania. You can expect a fuel cost of around $44 for this drive. While it's a manageable day trip, consider that the longest stretch without a stop is over 150 miles, so planning for at least one break is wise. This drive stays within the Northeast region of the US, offering a direct path 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

133.4 miles from Allentown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 151.8 mi 2h 47m
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
I 70 17.8 mi 25m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Tilghman Street 5 mi 8m
Harrisburg Pike 1 mi 2m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 0.7 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 151.8 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Charleroi, 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

152 mi · 2 hr 47 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
14

Take the exit onto I 70

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70

17 mi · 24 min · I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward PA 88: Charleroi, Allenport
17

At end of road, turn left onto PA 88

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
18

Continue on PA 88

0.6 mi · 1 min · McKean Avenue
19

Turn left onto 5th Street

269 ft · 14 sec · 5th Street
20

Turn left onto PA 88

57 ft · 1 sec · Fallowfield Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

PA 88

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 5 hours and 15 minutes, this drive is comfortably achievable in one day. Leaving Allentown in the morning, perhaps around 8 AM, will have you arriving in Charleroi with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep in mind the longest uninterrupted stretch is 151.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike; plan your single recommended stop accordingly, ideally around the halfway point, to break up the drive. The estimated fuel cost is $44, so ensure your tank is full before departing Allentown to maximize your driving time and minimize detours for refueling.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.4 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.8 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 133.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleroi, 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 266.8 miles and 5h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 151.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

133 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

Hershey, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.4 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 151.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Back Porch Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $40 to $50 mile 266.8

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17244834500

Visit website

Little Bamboo | Chinese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

3 mi

The Back Porch Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $40 to $50 mile 266.8

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17244834500

Visit website

Little Bamboo | Chinese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 266.8

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+17249296899

Visit website

Clubby's Coffee Shop

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 266.8

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+17242433187

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 209.6

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 247.7

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 209.6

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 247.7

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 209.6

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 266.8

Donora, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 228.7

Jones Mills, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 209.6

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 56.5 and 247.6 — 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
7
247.6 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in | I 70

Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton

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 I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.23 one way

$88.46 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $48.44 $96.89
premium $4.93 $51.74 $103.48
diesel $5.61 $58.91 $117.81

Estimated Tolls: $19.78

Pennsylvania Turnpike (151.8 mi) $19.73
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

$44

Tolls

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80 0 $28.01 $12.81
Efficient EV 66.7 0 $23.35 $10.67
EV Truck/SUV 106.7 1 $37.35 $17.08

Gas CO2

93 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Allentown, PA

Late night in Allentown on Sunday

Local time

4:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Mostly Cloudy

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Charleroi, PA

Late night in Charleroi on Sunday

Local time

4:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

133 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

17 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

5h 15m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 ~9 min detour Free near mile 55.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 101.2
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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 202.4
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 239.2
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
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 266.8-mile trip, with 77% of the route utilizing major arteries like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81. The dominant road personality is that of efficient, high-speed travel. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 151.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81 offer speed, the inclusion of William Penn Highway suggests a potential for varied driving conditions as you transition between these main thoroughfares.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.8 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 266.8 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 Charleroi, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Washington - among others.

Middlesex

93.8 mi in | ~1h 54m

Patp

95.1 mi in | ~1h 57m

Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg

247.6 mi in | ~4h 46m | via I 70

Wheeling

247.6 mi in | ~4h 46m | via I 70

New Stanton

247.6 mi in | ~4h 46m | via I 70

Washington

248 mi in | ~4h 47m | via I 70

Columbus

248 mi in | ~4h 47m | via I 70

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 266.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 151.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $19.78 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 Charleroi, 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 — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Charleroi, 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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