Bethlehem, PA to Homer City, PA is 261.2 miles and takes about 5h 14m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, with a notable stretch on the Keystone Shortway. It's a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across 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
130.6 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
136 mi
2h 27m
Dowler Highway
20.1 mi
23m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Macarthur Road
7.4 mi
10m
Lehigh Drive
7 mi
9m
Route 286 Highway East
6.7 mi
7m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
PA 286 Truck
5.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 136 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,088 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,542
Quietest
2 AM
~193 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Homer City, 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: AllentownUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto US 22
3.2 mi·4 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward PA 145Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
241 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 145 NorthUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto PA 145
4.5 mi·7 min·MacArthur Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on PA 145
7.4 mi·10 min·Macarthur Road
11
Continue on PA 145
1.0 mi·1 min·South Best Avenue
12
Continue on PA 145
0.4 mi·33 sec·North Best Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on PA 145
1.4 mi·1 min·Riverview Drive
14
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
7.0 mi·9 min·Lehigh Drive
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
17
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
19
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
20
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
21
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
22
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·32 sec·Lehigh Street
23
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
24
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
25
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
26
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
27
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
28
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
29
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
30
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
31
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
32
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
33
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
34
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
35
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
37
Merge onto I 80
136 mi·2 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
39
Turn left onto PA 879
4.3 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
40
Turn left onto PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
41
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
42
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
43
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
44
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
45
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
46
Continue on US 219
0.6 mi·39 sec·West Main Street
47
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
48
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
49
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
50
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
20 mi·23 min·Dowler Highway
51
Continue on PA 286
6.7 mi·7 min·Route 286 Highway East
52
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·PA 286 Truck
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
53
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286 Truck
4.1 mi·4 min·PA 286 Truck
Toward US 119 South: Blairsville
54
Continue on US 119; PA 56; US 422 Business
2.0 mi·2 min·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
55
Turn right onto Lucerne Road Extension
0.1 mi·24 sec·Lucerne Road Extension
56
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 119 Highway South
0.3 mi·32 sec·Old US 119 Highway South
57
Continue on East Indiana Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Indiana Street
58
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Main Street
59
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, leaving Bethlehem in the morning should allow you to reach Homer City well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pause when needed, perhaps after completing the 136-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially once you transition to surface roads, as stations might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always budget a little extra. This is a manageable one-day drive.
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 130.6 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136 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 57 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 45m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Homer City, 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 261.2 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 136 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 253.2 — 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
6
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward PA 145
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 145
8
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 145 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward PA 145 North
6
29.5 mi into trip|~43m in|US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
253.2 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|PA 286 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.97 one way
$91.93 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$50.27
$100.53
premium
$5.23
$53.74
$107.48
diesel
$6.18
$63.54
$127.08
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(3.2 mi)$0.23
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
$46
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
EV Truck/SUV
104.5
1
$36.57
$16.72
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Morning
in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
7:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph12% chanceLive 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
Homer City, PA
Morning
in Homer City on Sunday
Local time
7:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
N 12 mph3% chanceLive 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
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 14m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 261.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only about 6% on highways. You'll experience a long 136-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Be aware that after the highway portion, you'll be navigating more local roads, which can mean slower speeds and more frequent changes in scenery. The profile suggests a less developed driving experience for much of the trip.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136 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 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 261.2 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,731 ft356 ft
Total Climb
2,559 ft
Total Descent
1,890 ft
Highest Point
1,731 ft
~167.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,375 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bethlehem, PA to Homer City, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shawville along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 261.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 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 Homer City, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Homer City, PA before the return drive.
