Allentown to Oakland is 314.8 miles and takes about 6h 8m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards another part of the Northeast. Expect a turn-heavy local drive profile, suggesting a more winding and potentially slower pace than a straight interstate. With only one recommended stop and a single-day duration, it's a manageable trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently within 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
157.4 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
Keystone Shortway
208.5 mi
3h 43m
William Penn Highway
21.7 mi
26m
Locust Gap Highway
11.5 mi
13m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
South Market Street
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Mercer-New Wilmington Road
6.3 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 208.5 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,071 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,407
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Oakland, 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
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: PottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
Merge onto PA 61
2.4 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
10
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
11
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
12
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mauch Chunk Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Centre Street
14
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi·4 min·West Market Street
15
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·East Sunbury Street
17
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
18
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
19
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi·43 sec·Locust Gap Highway
20
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi·13 min·Locust Gap Highway
21
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·South Market Street
22
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi·45 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
209 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 15Toward US 19: Mercer
28
Keep slight right at fork
240 ft·7 sec
29
Turn straight onto US 19
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Erie Street
30
Turn left onto Steingrabe Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Steingrabe Road
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto PA 158
6.3 mi·8 min·Mercer-New Wilmington Road
32
Continue on PA 158
0.8 mi·1 min·North Market Street
33
Turn right onto Beechwood Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Beechwood Road
34
Turn left onto PA 158
2.4 mi·4 min·South New Castle Street
35
At end of road, turn left onto PA 18
0.8 mi·1 min·PA 18
36
Turn right onto Glen Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Glen Road
37
Turn right onto Mitchell Road
460 ft·8 sec·Mitchell Road
38
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
39
Merge onto I 376
3.7 mi·3 min·Beaver Valley Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 13Toward US 224: State Street, PolandUse the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
190 ft·6 sec
42
Turn left onto US 224
1.4 mi·2 min·West State Street
43
Turn right onto Miller Avenue
0.6 mi·2 min·Miller Avenue
44
At end of road, turn left onto West Washington Street
186 ft·7 sec·West Washington Street
45
Turn right onto Matilda Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Matilda Avenue
46
Turn right onto Fowler Lane
35 ft·1 sec·Fowler Lane
47
Arrive at destination
Fowler Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 8m duration, leaving Allentown in the morning will allow you to reach Oakland with ample daylight. While the drive is doable in one day, the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means it might feel longer than the stated time, so consider an early start. You'll want to fuel up before leaving Allentown, as there's only one recommended stop and the longest stretch is over 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Keystone Shortway onto the William Penn Highway and Locust Gap Highway, as local road services can be more spread out.
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 157.4 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208.5 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.4 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, 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 314.8 miles and 6h 8m.
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 Keystone Shortway for about 208.5 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.5 and 312 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
27.5 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
27.7 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
5
28 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Merge onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
295.3 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|Steingrabe Road
Turn left onto Steingrabe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
312 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 224: State Street, Poland
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 13
Toward US 224: State Street, Poland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.19 one way
$100.39 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$55.55
$111.10
premium
$4.81
$59.59
$119.18
diesel
$4.80
$59.44
$118.88
Estimated Tolls: $0.79
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)$0.74
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
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.4
1
$33.05
$15.11
Efficient EV
78.7
0
$27.55
$12.59
EV Truck/SUV
125.9
1
$44.07
$20.15
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Allentown, PA
Afternoon
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Oakland, PA
Afternoon
in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
1 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 8m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 54.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a lower highway share at just 6%, indicating a significant portion is on local roads. You'll encounter a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning frequent turns and a less predictable pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 208.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition onto other main roads like the William Penn Highway and Locust Gap Highway. Be prepared for the road to change character frequently, demanding your attention as you navigate through various local settings.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 208.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 27.5 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 30 significant decision points across 314.8 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 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, the county seat and largest city in Lehigh County, and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a population of 125,845 as of 2020.
Top landmarks
•Albertus L. Meyers Bridge — bridge in United States of America
•Allentown Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Allentown, Pennsylvania
•Allentown National Bank — bank building in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.
Top landmarks
•San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA
•Lake Merritt — lagoon in Oakland, California, USA
•Oakland Museum of California — art museum in Oakland, California
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 314.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 208.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.79 in tolls one way, starting with Centre 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Oakland, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 28 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakland, PA before the return drive.
