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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to King, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h

Distance

200.3 mi

322 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 48m ★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m

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

title given to the name of a male monarch

King, PA

Oscar Rockr

Trip Overview

Bethlehem, PA to King, PA is 200.3 miles and takes about 4h via Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, covering ground entirely within Pennsylvania. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the turnpike, so keep that in mind for potential tolls. With a recommended one-day drive, it's manageable for a single stretch.

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

100.1 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 81.1 mi 1h 29m
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 9.8 mi 13m
I 99 9.5 mi 10m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
William Penn Road 3.7 mi 5m
Bethlehem Spur Route 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 81.1 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

9.5 mi · 10 min · I 99; US 220
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward Blue Knob State Park
23

Turn left

0.1 mi · 15 sec
24

Continue on Sarah Furnace Road

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Sarah Furnace Road
25

Turn right onto William Penn Road

3.7 mi · 5 min · William Penn Road
26

Turn right onto Hickory Lane

213 ft · 9 sec · Hickory Lane
27

Arrive at destination

Hickory Lane

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the trip without feeling rushed. Since it's a single-day route, you have flexibility in pacing your stops. Plan for one primary stop to break up the 200.3 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 81.1-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Factor in the $33 fuel cost for budgeting.

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 100.1 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 4m 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 44 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.1 miles or 2h 4m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near King, 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 200.3 miles and 4h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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.

Downtown Hilltown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hilltown, PA

100 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

Hazleton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Middlesex, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.1 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 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.

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

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 23

5 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

$33.21 one way

$66.41 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $36.37 $72.74
premium $4.93 $38.85 $77.69
diesel $5.61 $44.22 $88.45

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

$33

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.1 0 $21.03 $9.61
Efficient EV 50.1 0 $17.53 $8.01
EV Truck/SUV 80.1 1 $28.04 $12.82

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Late night in Bethlehem on Tuesday

Local time

5:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

King, PA

Late night in King on Tuesday

Local time

5:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

62°F

Hilltown, PA

100 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

3 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 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

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 ~5 min detour Free near mile 103.6
View on nps.gov
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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 62.2
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 200.3
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 186.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 81.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to other routes. Expect a significant amount of time cruising on interstates and turnpikes, characterized by frequent exits and entry ramps as you navigate through the state. The latter part of the drive will involve more surface road driving.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 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 23 significant decision points across 200.3 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.

Between Bethlehem, PA and King, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp, Altoona and Johnstown.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 200.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

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 King, 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 Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at King, 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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King, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

201.1 mi 4h 2m

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