Bethlehem, PA to Middleburg, PA is 111.9 miles and takes about 2h 26m via William Penn Highway and PA 61, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive mostly stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a fairly direct path. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. Expect a mixed driving experience that balances efficiency with a touch of local road navigation. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical, no-fuss journey between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
21.7 mi
26m
PA 61
12.1 mi
14m
Locust Gap Highway
11.5 mi
13m
US 522
10.7 mi
12m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
9.8 mi
13m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Route 61 South
3 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 Middleburg, 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
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 29Toward PA 61 North: PottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 29Toward 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
11 mi·13 min·Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 54
1.5 mi·1 min·South Market Street
25
Turn left onto PA 487
2.3 mi·3 min·West Valley Avenue
26
Turn right onto PA 61
11 mi·13 min·PA 61
27
At end of road, turn left onto PA 61
0.7 mi·49 sec·South Front Street
28
Turn slight left onto PA 61
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 61
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Selinsgrove, Harrisburg
30
Merge onto US 11; US 15
2.8 mi·5 min·North Susquehanna Trail
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 522
0.4 mi·48 sec·US 522
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on US 522
10 mi·12 min·US 522
33
Turn left
22 ft·2 sec
34
Turn left onto Church Street
289 ft·12 sec·Church Street
35
Continue on Edmond Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Edmond Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
Edmond Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 26m duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Bethlehem in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While the drive isn't excessively long, consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 21.7 miles on William Penn Highway, as fuel availability can vary. The $19 fuel estimate is a good benchmark for budgeting.
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 55.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 15m 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middleburg, 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 111.9 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 97.6 — 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
6
97.6 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Selinsgrove, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Selinsgrove, H...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.55 one way
$37.10 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.32
$40.64
premium
$4.93
$21.70
$43.40
diesel
$5.61
$24.71
$49.41
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.6
0
$11.75
$5.37
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.79
$4.48
EV Truck/SUV
44.8
0
$15.67
$7.16
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Morning
in Bethlehem on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 0 to 15 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 9:13PM EDT until April 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:13PM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Middleburg, PA
Morning
in Middleburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
W 6 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 9:13PM EDT until April 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:13PM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
58°F
East Franklin, PA
56 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
2h 26m 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
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 50.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed drive, with about 33% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the William Penn Highway, PA 61, and Locust Gap Highway, offering varied driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 21.7 miles on the William Penn Highway. This means you'll transition between more open road speeds and potentially more local traffic as you progress. The drive is designed for steady forward momentum, with a good balance between cruising and navigating through more populated areas.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 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?
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 Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 111.9 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 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.
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 Middleburg, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisburg along the way.
Harrisburg
97.6 mi in|~2h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 111.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 Middleburg, 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. 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 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 Middleburg, PA before heading back.
