Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Kimmel, 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 41m
Distance
230.3 mi
371 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Kimmel, PA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Bethlehem, PA to Kimmel, PA is 230.3 miles and takes about 4h 41m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Pennsylvania for its entirety, moving from the Northeast region toward the same area. With a highway-focused profile, expect much of your journey to be on major interstates. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, making it a straightforward option when you need to get 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
115.2 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 116.8 mi | 2h 9m |
| William Penn Highway | 43.1 mi | 51m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| New Centerville Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Cross Road | 1.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 116.8 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Kimmel, 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
117 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward US 219: Somerset, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on Ramada Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Ramada Road
Toward US 219: Somerset, Johnstown
19
Turn right onto PA 601
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Center Avenue
20
Turn right onto PA 31; PA 281
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
21
Turn left onto PA 31; PA 281
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Harrison Avenue
22
Turn right onto PA 281
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Tayman Avenue
23
Continue on PA 281
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Centerville Road
24
Turn right onto Cross Road
1.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Road
25
Turn right onto SR 3029
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Copper Kettle Highway
26
Arrive at destination
SR 3029
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m duration, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Bethlehem, PA early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is over 116 miles, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you hit that point, perhaps shortly after merging onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer interstate segments. This is a route where you can afford to be flexible with your timing due to its relatively short length and direct path.
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 115.2 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.8 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 23m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimmel, 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 230.3 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 116.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.2 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 116.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 220.9 — 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
220.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 219: Somerset, 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 US 219: Somerset, Johnstown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.18 one way
$76.36 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $41.82 | $83.63 |
| premium | $4.93 | $44.66 | $89.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.85 | $101.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $15.88
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(116.8 mi)
$15.19
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
$38
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 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 | 69.1 | 0 | $24.18 | $11.05 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.15 | $9.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.24 | $14.74 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Kimmel, PA
Morning in Kimmel on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM 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
25 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 41m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 103.3
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 63.5
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 214.5
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 230.3
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 190.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 67% of the route utilizing major interstates like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving with the longest segment spanning 116.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the majority of the trip involves higher speeds and consistent travel, the inclusion of the William Penn Highway suggests moments where the scenery might broaden slightly beyond pure interstate conditions. Overall, prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes forward momentum on well-maintained roadways.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. 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 21 significant decision points across 230.3 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.
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 Kimmel, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.
Middlesex
102.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Patp
103.3 mi in
|
~2h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.88 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.
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 Kimmel, 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 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 — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kimmel, 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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