Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Bethlehem, PA

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

Drive Time

4h 29m

Distance

223.9 mi

360 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 16m ★

6 AM

4h 29m

8 AM

4h 56m

10 AM

4h 38m

12 PM

4h 36m

3 PM

4h 40m

5 PM

4h 54m

8 PM

4h 21m

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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city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 223.9-mile loop from Bethlehem, PA, back to Bethlehem, PA, is a manageable one-day adventure, estimated to take around 4 hours and 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway, with a stretch on State Route 54, this drive offers a turn-heavy local feel. With a fuel cost estimated at $37 and just one recommended stop, it’s an efficient trip for those based in Pennsylvania’s Northeast region. The overall journey is designed for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway without needing an overnight stay.

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

112 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	103.7 mi	1h 51m
William Penn Highway	21.6 mi	26m
State Route 54	11.1 mi	13m
Center Avenue	10.6 mi	12m
Lehigh Valley Thruway	10.3 mi	14m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway	9.8 mi	11m
Elysburg Road	9.7 mi	11m
Sunbury Road	9.4 mi	11m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Bethlehem, PA.

Start on Deer Run Road

39 ft · 1 sec · Deer Run Road

Continue on Bethlehem Hill Road

0.8 mi · 3 min · Bethlehem Hill Road

Turn left onto PA 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Continue on PA 36

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Market Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 219

0.2 mi · 12 sec · West Main Street

Continue on US 219

9.8 mi · 11 min · Mahaffey Grampian Highway

Continue on US 219

0.7 mi · 47 sec · 1st Street

Continue on PA 879

4.7 mi · 5 min · Curwensville Grampian Road

Continue on PA 879

2.6 mi · 2 min · Curwensville Grampian Highway

Continue on PA 879

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Curwensville Grampain Highway

Continue on PA 879

2.0 mi · 2 min · Clearfield Curwensville Highway

Turn right onto PA 879

4.2 mi · 6 min · Clearfield Shawville Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Merge onto I 80

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road

Continue on PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Street

Turn right onto PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway

Turn right onto PA 901

4.0 mi · 6 min · Gordon Nagle Trail

Continue on PA 901

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street

Turn left onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street

Turn right onto PA 61

493 ft · 6 sec · Route 61 South

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 61

2.7 mi · 3 min · Centre Street

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22

10 mi · 14 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on PA 378

1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Exit 2 Toward Eighth Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 8th Avenue

Turn left onto West Union Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard

Turn left onto Center Street

423 ft · 11 sec · Center Street

Turn right onto East Goepp Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Goepp Street

Turn right onto Linden Street

57 ft · 1 sec · Linden Street

Arrive at destination

Linden Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 29-minute estimated drive time, starting early in the morning will allow you to complete this 223.9-mile loop comfortably within a single day. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically to coincide with any necessary refueling, especially considering the $37 estimated fuel cost. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the main roads like the Keystone Shortway and State Route 54, as these can mark changes in the driving character. This drive is flexible enough that you can adjust your pace as needed, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

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 112 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 49 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112 miles or 2h 6m 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 34m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem, PA

This is one driving day of about 223.9 miles and 4h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Bethlehem, 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 103.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Williamsport, PA

112 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

Ashland, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Williamsport, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.7 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.

Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 240.4

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 222.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 219 / West Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 219 / West Main Street

Navigation decision point

209.7 mi into trip | ~4h 7m 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...

220 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in

Take the exit toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road

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 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville...

220.2 mi into trip | ~4h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem

222.2 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in

Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward Eighth Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.12 one way

$74.24 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$40.65	$81.31
premium	$4.93	$43.42	$86.84
diesel	$5.61	$49.43	$98.87

Estimated Tolls: $0.72

Lehigh Valley Thruway (10.3 mi) $0.72

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

$37

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.2	0	$23.51	$10.75
Efficient EV	56	0	$19.59	$8.96
EV Truck/SUV	89.6	1	$31.35	$14.33

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 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 16, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday

Local time

6:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethlehem, PA

Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday

Local time

6:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Partly Sunny

SW 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

68°F

Williamsport, PA

112 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

24 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

4h 29m 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

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 ~51 min detour Free near mile 182.4

Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene

Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia

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 turn-heavy local drive on this route, which is largely comprised of non-highway roads, with highway driving making up only about 5% of the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.7 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a more continuous segment before you transition back to more varied local roads. This changing road character means you'll experience a mix of driving conditions, from potentially faster-paced sections to more winding, community-focused routes.

Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 1.9 miles in near US 219 / West Main Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 223.9 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 1.9 miles (US 219 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 209.7 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Bethlehem, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.

Washingtonville

130.5 mi in | ~2h 26m

Lvi Airport

209.7 mi in | ~4h 7m | via US 22

About the Cities

Starting in Bethlehem, PA

Full guide →

Bethlehem is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Easton, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. In the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem borders Nazareth to its northwest, Allentown to its west, Hellertown to its southeast, and Easton to its east. The city is about 70 miles (110 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the United States, and about 80 miles (130 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.

Arriving in Bethlehem, PA

Full guide →

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 4h 29m. Total distance: 223.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.72 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.

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 Bethlehem, 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.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethlehem, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem, PA

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 29m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Bethlehem, PA

Arriving in Bethlehem, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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