South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Burrell, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Burrell, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Bethlehem, PA to Burrell, PA is 248 miles and takes about 5h 18m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward day trip for most. If you're looking for a direct, no-fuss drive across the state, this route fits the bill, keeping you on well-traveled paths.
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
124 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 81.1 mi | 1h 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 56 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Eichler Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Harold Avenue | 9.1 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 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 Bethlehem, PA and Burrell, 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
43 mi
·
51 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 78; US 22
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
44 min
·
I 81
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 11 South
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
21
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
23
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
24
Continue on PA 56
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Eichler Road
25
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
26
Continue on PA 56
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Scalp Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
28
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
29
Continue on Bedford Street
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bedford Street
30
Continue on PA 271
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Clinton Street
31
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
32
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 403
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
33
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto Laurel Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Avenue
35
At end of road, turn right onto PA 56
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Strayer Street
36
Continue on PA 56
9.1 mi
·
14 min
·
Harold Avenue
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 22 West: Blairsville
38
Merge onto US 22
13 mi
·
17 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 217: Blairsville
40
Continue on PA 217
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
PA 217
41
Turn right onto PA 217
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Walnut Street
42
Arrive at destination
PA 217
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m duration, leaving Bethlehem, PA in the morning should allow you to reach Burrell, PA with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, ensure your tank is full before you depart, especially before heading into longer stretches with fewer services. The mix of highway and surface roads means you'll want to stay alert for changes in traffic patterns and speed limits as you progress.
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 124 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 33m 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 33m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burrell, 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 248 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 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
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Bethlehem, 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
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Sheetz
1.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1.6 mi from 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 295 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 185.1 — 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
8
102.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
102.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m 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
103.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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
185.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.64 one way
$87.29 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $47.73 | $95.45 |
| premium | $5.23 | $51.03 | $102.05 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $60.33 | $120.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.23
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81.1 mi)
$10.54
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
$44
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Burrell, PA
Morning in Burrell on Sunday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Sunny
N 9 to 14 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
124 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
1 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 18m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 59.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 102.6
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
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 213.8
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 213.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about half highway, with 49% of the total mileage on major roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, covering 81.1 miles. After that, expect a transition to surface roads, likely with more local traffic and varied speed limits. Keep an eye out for the shift from high-speed cruising to more stop-and-go conditions as you move off the main highways.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 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 3.4 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 29 significant decision points across 248 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,692 ft
302 ft
Total Climb
2,046 ft
Total Descent
1,444 ft
Highest Point
1,692 ft
~212.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,390 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 Bethlehem, PA and Burrell, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Middlesex
102.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Patp
103.3 mi in
|
~2h 9m
Altoona
185.1 mi in
|
~3h 40m
Johnstown
185.1 mi in
|
~3h 40m
Cessna
188.6 mi in
|
~3h 45m
About the Cities
Starting in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →Founded 1741
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.
Top landmarks
- • Bethlehem Waterworks — pump-powered public water supply
- • Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District — complex of the oldest surviving buildings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- • Cathedral Church of the Nativity — church in Pennsylvania, United States
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 18m. Total distance: 248 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m 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 $11.23 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 22 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 Burrell, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Burrell, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Burrell, PA
More trips to Burrell, PA
Explore more options from Bethlehem, PA or browse trips ending in Burrell, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.