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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Burnside, PA

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

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

82 mi

132 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

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

Downtown Burnside, PA, PA

Burnside, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 82-mile journey from Bethlehem, PA, to Burnside, PA, will take you about 1 hour and 52 minutes to complete. It's a manageable drive, easily fitting into a single day, with an estimated fuel cost of $14. You'll be navigating a mix of roads, including the William Penn Highway, Centre Turnpike, and Lehigh Valley Thruway, giving you a feel for local Pennsylvania travel. This route stays within the Northeast region, so expect consistent scenery and character throughout your trip. It's a straightforward drive perfect for a quick getaway or a practical transit.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 21.7 mi 26m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 9.8 mi 13m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Chestnut Street 4.5 mi 6m
Locust Gap Highway 3.6 mi 4m
Route 61 South 3 mi 3m
Pottsville Pike 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 21.7 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Linden Street

367 ft · 13 sec · Linden Street
2

Turn right onto East Union Boulevard

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Union Boulevard
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
4

Merge onto PA 378

2.3 mi · 3 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 22 West: Allentown Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto US 22

9.8 mi · 13 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 min · William Penn Highway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 29 Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 29 Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
10

Merge onto PA 61

2.4 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on PA 61

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
13

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
14

Continue on PA 61

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15

Turn left onto US 209

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Mauch Chunk Street
16

At end of road, turn right onto US 209

0.4 mi · 38 sec · South Centre Street
17

Turn left onto US 209

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Market Street
18

Continue on US 209; PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19

At end of road, turn left onto PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Sunbury Street
20

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
21

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
22

Continue on PA 901

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Locust Gap Highway
23

Continue on PA 54; PA 901

3.2 mi · 3 min · Locust Gap Highway
24

Turn left onto Brennans Farm Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · Brennans Farm Road
25

Continue on South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · South 6th Street
26

Turn left onto PA 61

4.5 mi · 6 min · Chestnut Street
27

Continue on PA 61

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Sunbury Street
28

Turn left onto PA 125

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Market Street
29

Turn right onto PA 125

0.3 mi · 53 sec · Bear Valley Avenue
30

Continue on PA 125

1.4 mi · 2 min · Bear Valley Road
31

Arrive at destination

PA 125

Trip Plan

With a duration of just under two hours, this 82-mile route offers a lot of flexibility. You could easily start your drive in the morning and arrive by midday, or depart in the afternoon and still have plenty of daylight. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan to pull over when you feel the need, perhaps after covering the longest stretch of 21.7 miles on the William Penn Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since only 17% of the drive is on faster roads, and budget around $14 for gas.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 18 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41 miles or 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burnside, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bethlehem, PA

This is one driving day of about 82 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Bethlehem, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 21.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Cressona, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cressona, PA

41 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

Alburtis, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Philadelphia, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 36.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 West: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 22 West: Allentown
5
4.3 mi into trip | ~7m in | US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway

Merge onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
35.8 mi into trip | ~47m 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
35.9 mi into trip | ~48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 29 Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
5
36.2 mi into trip | ~48m 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.59 one way

$27.19 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $14.89 $29.78
premium $4.93 $15.90 $31.81
diesel $5.61 $18.10 $36.21

Estimated Tolls: $1.43

Centre Turnpike (10.6 mi) $0.74
Lehigh Valley Thruway (9.8 mi) $0.69

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

$14

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.6 0 $8.61 $3.94
Efficient EV 20.5 0 $7.18 $3.28
EV Truck/SUV 32.8 0 $11.48 $5.25

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

10:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Burnside, PA

Morning in Burnside on Sunday

Local time

10:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

34 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

1h 52m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 56.6
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 for this 82-mile trip. Only 17% of the route is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface streets and state routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.7 miles on the William Penn Highway, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to observe your surroundings and adjust your pace. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more engaging drive that keeps you connected to the landscape as you transition from Bethlehem to Burnside.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.7 mi on William Penn Highway.

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 3.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 82 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 21.7 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.43 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.

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 Burnside, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burnside, PA before heading back.

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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