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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to North Towanda, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

137.4 mi

221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

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

township in Bradford County, Pennsylvania

North Towanda, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 137.4-mile drive from Bethlehem, PA, to North Towanda, PA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 12 minutes. With 81% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. You can expect a fuel cost of around $23 for this trip. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is ideal as a single-day trip, offering flexibility for when you depart and how often you choose to stop. Both your origin and destination are within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

68.7 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 47.7 mi 52m
PA 118 17.9 mi 25m
Route 220 14.9 mi 16m
Route 487 13.8 mi 22m
PA 309 10.4 mi 17m
PA 487 7.3 mi 12m
Tilghman Street 6.4 mi 10m
Main Street 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 47.7 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and North Towanda, PA.

1

Start on Linden Street

367 ft · 13 sec · Linden Street
2

Turn right onto East Union Boulevard

4.9 mi · 8 min · East Union Boulevard
3

Continue on Tilghman Street

6.4 mi · 10 min · Tilghman Street
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 476, PATP
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 476 North: Scranton Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 476; PATP

48 mi · 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 105 Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
8

Turn left onto PA 115

4.3 mi · 7 min · Bear Creek Boulevard
9

Continue on PA 309

10 mi · 17 min · PA 309
10

Enter roundabout onto PA 415

209 ft · 4 sec · Memorial Highway
11

Continue on PA 415

1.6 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
12

Turn left onto PA 118

18 mi · 25 min · PA 118
13

Turn right onto PA 487

14 mi · 22 min · Route 487
14

Turn right onto PA 487

7.3 mi · 12 min · PA 487
15

Continue on PA 87

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Mill Street
16

Turn right onto US 220

0.6 mi · 39 sec · North German Street
17

Continue on US 220

15 mi · 16 min · Route 220
18

Continue on US 220

4.9 mi · 6 min · Main Street
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
20

Turn left onto Patterson Boulevard

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Patterson Boulevard
21

Turn left onto US 6

433 ft · 13 sec · Reuter Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto James Street

385 ft · 14 sec · James Street
23

Turn left

0.1 mi · 39 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure, giving you the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps after covering the 47.7-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $23, and ensure you start with a full tank. The highway-focused nature means you can maintain a steady pace, but be aware of potential tolls on the turnpike sections.

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 68.7 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.7 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 30 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.7 miles or 1h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Towanda, 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 137.4 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Northeast Extension for about 47.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

unincorporated community

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Back Mountain, PA

69 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

Palmerton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kingston, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.7 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 68.7

Kingston, Pennsylvania

+18668167584

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 39.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 29.4

Lehighton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 39.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 39.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 39.3

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68.7

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 68.7

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 137.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
11.8 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 476 North: Scranton
6
59.9 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 105 Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
5
137.1 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in | US 6 / Reuter Boulevard

Turn left onto US 6 / Reuter Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
137.2 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in | James Street

Turn right onto James Street

Navigation decision point

5
137.3 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.78 one way

$45.56 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.95 $49.90
premium $4.93 $26.65 $53.29
diesel $5.61 $30.34 $60.67

Estimated Tolls: $6.20

Pennsylvania Turnpike (47.7 mi) $6.20

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

$23

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.2 0 $14.43 $6.60
Efficient EV 34.4 0 $12.02 $5.50
EV Truck/SUV 55 0 $19.24 $8.79

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 17, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Late night in Bethlehem on Sunday

Local time

3:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Chance Rain Showers

W 10 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Destination

North Towanda, PA

Late night in North Towanda on Sunday

Local time

3:53 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

24 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 81% of your journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a chance to settle in for a significant portion of the drive. While the main roads include the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, PA 118, and Route 220, the profile suggests a consistent highway experience rather than a winding, scenic byway. This route is built for covering ground efficiently.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and PA 118. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 12m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.1 miles (US 6 / Reuter Boulevard): 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 North Towanda, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Bear Creek.

Patp

11.4 mi in | ~19m

Bear Creek

59.9 mi in | ~1h 13m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 137.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.20 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.1 miles (US 6 / Reuter Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at North Towanda, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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