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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Oakwood, PA

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

Drive Time

6h 16m

Distance

317.9 mi

512 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 4m ★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 9m

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

Downtown Oakwood, PA, PA

Oakwood, PA

Peter Vang

Trip Overview

Embark on a 317.9-mile journey from Bethlehem, PA, to Oakwood, PA, a drive that will take approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes. This route is best tackled in a single day, making it a feasible day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll primarily navigate the Keystone Shortway, along with segments of Macarthur Road and Lehigh Drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, this drive offers a straightforward way to traverse between two points within Pennsylvania's Northeast region. Consider this a practical transit rather than an extensive scenic tour.

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

158.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 240.6 mi 4h 19m
Macarthur Road 7.4 mi 10m
Lehigh Drive 7 mi 9m
Mercer-New Wilmington Road 6.3 mi 8m
Hudson Drive 5.8 mi 8m
MacArthur Road 4.5 mi 7m
East Broad Street 3.8 mi 4m
State Route 93 3.7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 240.6 mi, about 4h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

3.2 mi · 4 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward PA 145 Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

241 ft · 9 sec
Toward PA 145 North Use 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 South Use 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

241 mi · 4 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
38

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 15 Toward US 19: Mercer
39

Keep slight right at fork

240 ft · 7 sec
40

Turn straight onto US 19

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Erie Street
41

Turn left onto Steingrabe Road

1.2 mi · 1 min · Steingrabe Road
Use the left lane.
42

Turn left onto PA 158

6.3 mi · 8 min · Mercer-New Wilmington Road
43

Continue on PA 158

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Market Street
44

Turn right onto Beechwood Road

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Beechwood Road
45

Turn left onto PA 158

2.4 mi · 4 min · South New Castle Street
46

At end of road, turn left onto PA 18

0.8 mi · 1 min · PA 18
47

Turn right onto Glen Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Glen Road
48

Turn right onto Mitchell Road

460 ft · 8 sec · Mitchell Road
49

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
50

Merge onto I 376

3.7 mi · 3 min · Beaver Valley Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
51

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 13 Toward US 224: State Street, Poland Use the slight right lane.
52

Keep slight left at fork

190 ft · 6 sec
53

Turn left onto US 224

0.7 mi · 1 min · West State Street
54

Turn left onto Lower Idlewild Drive

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Lower Idlewild Drive
55

Turn right onto Burns Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Burns Street
56

Turn right onto Avalon Drive

468 ft · 20 sec · Avalon Drive
57

Arrive at destination

Avalon Drive

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 16-minute duration, starting your trip from Bethlehem, PA, in the early morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With only one recommended stop, plan for a mid-drive break to refuel and stretch. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway covers over 240 miles, so ensure you're well-prepared before entering this section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the more local roads to the longer highway segments, to avoid any last-minute detours for gas.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 70 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakwood, 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 317.9 miles and 6h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 240.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

159 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

City of Scranton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Central City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.9 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 Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 240.6 miles.

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.

Top Restaurant

Edwards Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 317.9

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17246587455

Visit website

Chuck Tanners Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New Castle, Pennsylvania

1.6 mi

Hazel's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Castle, Pennsylvania

1.9 mi

Edwards Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 317.9

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17246587455

Visit website

Chuck Tanners Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 317.9

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+17246585900

Visit website

Hazel's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 317.9

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17246542621

Visit website

Hill House Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 317.9

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+17246524401

Visit website

Elham Restaurant And Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 317.9

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17246526611

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 68.1

Nescopeck, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 45.4

Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

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 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 316.4 — 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.
8
316.4 mi into trip | ~6h 13m in

Take the exit toward US 224: State Street, Poland

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 13 Toward US 224: State Street, Poland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.70 one way

$105.41 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $57.72 $115.45
premium $4.93 $61.65 $123.31
diesel $5.61 $70.19 $140.38

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

$53

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.4 1 $33.38 $15.26
Efficient EV 79.5 0 $27.82 $12.72
EV Truck/SUV 127.2 1 $44.51 $20.35

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Late night in Bethlehem on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Partly Sunny

SE 0 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Oakwood, PA

Late night in Oakwood on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°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

30 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

6h 16m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a dynamic experience behind the wheel. While a significant portion is on highways (indicated by a 3 for highway share), expect a blend of faster road sections and more intricate local navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a considerable 240.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of consistent travel. However, the overall profile implies you'll encounter more frequent changes in road type and direction compared to a purely interstate route, demanding your attention throughout the 6-hour duration.

Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 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 29 significant decision points across 317.9 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 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 317.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 240.6 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 Oakwood, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakwood, PA before the return drive.

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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