Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Zion, 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 16m
Distance
153.8 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Zion, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Bethlehem, PA to Zion, PA is 153.8 miles and takes about 3h 16m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same region. Expect a mostly local road experience with some highway stretches, making it a good option for a single-day trip. Given the manageable distance and duration, you can set off at your leisure and still arrive with time to spare.
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
76.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 82.6 mi | 1h 29m |
| Nittany Valley Drive | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| Macarthur Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Lehigh Drive | 7 mi | 9m |
| 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
— 82.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Zion, 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
83 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Keystone Shortway
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto PA 64
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Nittany Valley Drive
40
Continue on PA 64
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East College Avenue
41
Turn right onto PA 550
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Zion Road
42
Arrive at destination
PA 550
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, single-day drive of just over 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Bethlehem in the morning will allow you to reach Zion with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, you won't need extensive planning for this trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 82.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out on local roads.
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 76.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 34 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 47m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Zion, 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 153.8 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 82.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 141.2 — 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.
7
141.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
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 PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.50 one way
$51.00 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $27.93 | $55.85 |
| premium | $4.93 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.96 | $67.91 |
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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Zion, PA
Late night in Zion on Sunday
Local time
3:46 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
13 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 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 30% of the route on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time navigating local roads, so be prepared for frequent turns and varying speed limits. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm on a more consistent road. The overall profile suggests a journey that requires attention to navigation but rewards you with a more intimate view of the Pennsylvania landscape.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 153.8 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 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.
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.
On the drive from Bethlehem, PA to Zion, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mill Hall along the way.
Mill Hall
141.2 mi in
|
~2h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 153.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.6 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 Zion, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Zion, 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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