South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Blairsville, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
247.7 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blairsville, PA
Jack Pace
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 247.7-mile journey from Blairsville, PA to Bethlehem, PA will take approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes to complete. It's a manageable one-day drive, with an estimated fuel cost of $41. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway. The route offers a practical way to travel within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Consider this a straightforward trip, suitable for those who prefer a direct route with a manageable travel time.
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
123.9 miles from Blairsville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 81 mi | 1h 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 54.9 mi | 1h 7m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 22.5 mi | 27m |
| Quaker Valley Road | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| I 81 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Cramer Pike | 7.9 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81 mi, about 1h 29m
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 Blairsville, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on this road
58 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Market Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Market Street
3
Continue on Old William Penn Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Old William Penn Highway
4
Turn left onto Villa Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Villa Road
5
Turn right onto US 22; US 119
12 mi
·
16 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
7
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Cramer Pike
8
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Cooper Avenue
9
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Iron Street
10
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
4th Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Broad Street
12
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Johns Street
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
15
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bedford Street
16
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
17
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
18
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Scalp Avenue
19
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
20
Continue on PA 56
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
22
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
24
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
25
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
28
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
29
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
33
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
37
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
41
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
42
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
45
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
48
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
49
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
50
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
51
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
52
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
53
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 5.5 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Blairsville to maximize your daylight and arrive in Bethlehem with time to spare. The longest continuous stretch is 81 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan a fuel stop before or after this segment if needed. While the route involves some turns, the overall drive time suggests that one well-paced stop for a break or a quick bite should be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the Turnpike and 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 123.9 miles from Blairsville, PA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 54 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.9 miles or 2h 46m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blairsville, 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 Blairsville, PA
This is one driving day of about 247.7 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Blairsville, 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 81 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123.9 miles from Blairsville, 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 81 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.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
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
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Sheetz
1.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 375 decision points cluster between mile 143.1 and 244 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
143.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
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 I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
7
143.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
9
233.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
|
US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
7
243.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
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 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville...
8
244 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.26 one way
$86.52 round trip
$4.44/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $47.37 | $94.73 |
| premium | $5.20 | $50.67 | $101.34 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $61.20 | $122.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.25
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)
$10.53
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(10.3 mi)
$0.72
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
$43
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.01 | $11.89 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.67 | $9.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.68 | $15.85 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Blairsville, PA
Late night in Blairsville on Saturday
Local time
1:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
1:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
42°F
King, PA
124 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
5h 19m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 187.9
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 145.2
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 25.6
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 34.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 5-hour, 19-minute trip. While 39% of the journey is on highways, including an 81-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, much of the route involves more intricate local roads. This means you'll be adjusting your speed and navigating more frequently than on a pure interstate drive. The character of the road will shift, offering a dynamic driving experience that requires consistent attention.
Only 39% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 143.1 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 37 significant decision points across 247.7 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 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,750 ft
302 ft
Total Climb
1,344 ft
Total Descent
2,000 ft
Highest Point
1,750 ft
~35.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,448 ft
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 Blairsville, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Johnstown
14 mi in
|
~20m
Pittsburgh
60.3 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Harrisburg
60.3 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Patp: Pittsburgh
61.5 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Marysville
158.2 mi in
|
~3h 28m
Lvi Airport
233.5 mi in
|
~4h 58m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Blairsville, PA
Full guide →Founded 1818
Arriving 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
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 5h 19m. Total distance: 247.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.25 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 22 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 Bethlehem, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethlehem, 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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