South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Allentown, PA to Smith, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
236.6 mi
381 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Smith, PA
Kai
Trip Overview
Allentown to Smith is 236.6 miles and takes about 5h 3m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making for a varied, but manageable, single-day excursion. With only one recommended stop and a straightforward route, it's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
118.3 miles from Allentown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 81.1 mi | 1h 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 53.9 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Eichler Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Harold Avenue | 9.1 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Tilghman Street | 5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,821 veh/hr typical · worst 3,332
Quietest
1 AM
~392 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 101 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 Smith, 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
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
20
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
21
Continue on PA 56
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Eichler Road
22
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
23
Continue on PA 56
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Scalp Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
25
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
26
Continue on Bedford Street
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bedford Street
27
Continue on PA 271
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Clinton Street
28
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
29
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 403
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
30
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
31
At end of road, turn left onto Laurel Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Avenue
32
At end of road, turn right onto PA 56
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Strayer Street
33
Continue on PA 56
9.1 mi
·
14 min
·
Harold Avenue
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 22 West: Blairsville
35
Merge onto US 22
11 mi
·
14 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Corporate Campus Drive
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Corporate Campus Drive
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left onto Cornell Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Cornell Road
38
Arrive at destination
Cornell Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive well before evening. The route is estimated to cost around $40 in fuel, so plan accordingly. While the drive is manageable in one day, remember there's one recommended stop, so factor that into your timing. Given the longest highway stretch is 81.1 miles, you might want to plan a brief break around that point, perhaps before you transition off the Pennsylvania Turnpike to ensure you're refreshed for the surface road portions.
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 118.3 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.1 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smith, 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 236.6 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 81.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.3 miles from Allentown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Sheetz
1.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 93.8 and 177.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
176.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
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 Altoona, Johnstown
7
177.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.32 one way
$82.64 round trip
$4.44/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $45.24 | $90.49 |
| premium | $5.20 | $48.40 | $96.80 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $58.46 | $116.92 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.59
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81.1 mi)
$10.54
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
$41
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.84 | $11.36 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.70 | $9.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.6 | 1 | $33.12 | $15.14 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Allentown, PA
Morning in Allentown on Thursday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Smith, PA
Morning in Smith on Thursday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
61°F
King, PA
118 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 3m 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.
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 97.9
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 49
View on nps.gov
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 212.2
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 204
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 51% of this 236.6-mile route is on highways, so you'll spend a good portion of your time cruising. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 81.1 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, including segments on the William Penn Highway and I 81, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 93.8 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 27 significant decision points across 236.6 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 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; at 95.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,771 ft
346 ft
Total Climb
2,310 ft
Total Descent
1,577 ft
Highest Point
1,771 ft
~202.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,424 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Smith, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Middlesex
93.8 mi in
|
~1h 54m
Patp
95.1 mi in
|
~1h 57m
Altoona
176.9 mi in
|
~3h 28m
Johnstown
176.9 mi in
|
~3h 28m
Cessna
180.3 mi in
|
~3h 33m
About the Cities
Starting in Allentown, PA
Full guide →Founded 1762
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 236.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.59 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.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Smith, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 95.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smith, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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