North Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Upper Saint Clair, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h
Distance
290.8 mi
468 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 7m
3 PM
6h 11m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Upper Saint Clair, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Bethlehem, PA to Upper Saint Clair, PA is 290.8 miles and takes about 6h via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. It's a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day, especially if you're looking to get to your destination efficiently. The route is mostly highway, so you'll spend a good portion of your time on the open road, making it a practical choice for a quick cross-state commute.
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
145.4 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 159.6 mi | 2h 55m |
| 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 |
| Lincoln Way | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| Lebanon Church Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Lincoln Highway | 3.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 159.6 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,821 veh/hr typical · worst 3,332
Quietest
1 AM
~392 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 101 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Upper Saint Clair, 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
160 mi
·
2 hr 55 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 30
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto Lincoln Way
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Lincoln Way
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue
22
Turn straight onto PA 148; Yellow Belt
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lysle Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Jerome Street Bridge
24
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Avenue
26
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Richland Avenue
27
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard
28
Turn slight left onto Yellow Belt
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Lebanon Church Road
29
Continue on Yellow Belt
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Curry Hollow Road
30
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Brownsville Road
31
Turn right onto Broughton Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Broughton Road
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto Baptist Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Baptist Road
33
Continue on South Park Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Park Road
34
Turn right onto Drake Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Drake Road
35
At end of road, turn left onto Bethel Church Road
217 ft
·
12 sec
·
Bethel Church Road
36
Turn right onto Orange Belt
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
McMurray Road
Use the right lane.
37
Turn left onto Morrow Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrow Road
38
Turn left onto Mill Grove Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Grove Road
39
Turn left onto Swanson Lane
170 ft
·
7 sec
·
Swanson Lane
40
Arrive at destination
Swanson Lane
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or plan a fill-up. Given that this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of the 159.6-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike where services might be less frequent than on other interstates.
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 145.4 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.6 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.4 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Saint Clair, 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 290.8 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 159.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.4 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 159.6 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.
South Somerset Service Plaza
0 mi from route
South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
New Stanton Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 263.7 — 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
8
263.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
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 67
Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.18 one way
$102.35 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $55.96 | $111.92 |
| premium | $5.23 | $59.83 | $119.66 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $70.74 | $141.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $21.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(159.6 mi)
$20.75
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
$51
Tolls
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.53 | $13.96 |
| Efficient EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.45 | $11.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.71 | $18.61 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Night in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Upper Saint Clair, PA
Night in Upper Saint Clair on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 9 to 15 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
145 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 60.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 110.3
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 210.6
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
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 240.7
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 190.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 67% of this 290.8-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 159.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, you'll transition to roads like the William Penn Highway and I-81, which will offer a different driving experience. Expect a significant amount of time on major routes, with a transition to surface roads later in the trip.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.6 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 28 significant decision points across 290.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,704 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
3,259 ft
Total Descent
2,533 ft
Highest Point
2,704 ft
~207.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,348 ft
Notable High Points
1,730 ft at ~166.2 miles
+594 ft prominence
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 Upper Saint Clair, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Mckeesport.
Middlesex
102.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Patp
103.3 mi in
|
~2h 9m
Mckeesport
263.7 mi in
|
~5h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →Founded 1741
Bethlehem is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Easton, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. In the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem borders Nazareth to its northwest, Allentown to its west, Hellertown to its southeast, and Easton to its east. The city is about 70 miles (110 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the United States, and about 80 miles (130 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Top landmarks
- • Bethlehem Waterworks — pump-powered public water supply
- • Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District — complex of the oldest surviving buildings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- • Cathedral Church of the Nativity — church in Pennsylvania, United States
Arriving in Upper Saint Clair, PA
Full guide →Founded 1830
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 290.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 159.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.44 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.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Upper Saint Clair, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Saint Clair, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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