Origin
Catawissa, PA
Late night in Catawissa on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catawissa, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
85.4 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catawissa, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.4-mile drive from Catawissa, PA to Bethlehem, PA takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. It's a straightforward, one-day trip that won't require an overnight stop. You'll primarily be on local roads like the William Penn Highway and Center Avenue, with some stretches of the Lehigh Valley Thruway. Expect a fuel cost of around $14 for this journey. The drive offers a practical way to travel between the Northeast regions of Pennsylvania. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively short and manageable trip within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Catawissa, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Numidia Drive | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Numedia Drive | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Skyline Drive | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Fountain Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Centre Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catawissa, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on East Main Street
93 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 42; PA 487
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 42
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Numedia Drive
4
Continue on PA 42
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Numidia Drive
5
Continue on PA 42
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Aristes Highway
6
Continue on PA 42
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Locust Avenue
7
Continue on PA 61
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Byrnesville Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto PA 54; PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Centre Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto PA 61
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Hoffman Boulevard
10
Turn slight left onto PA 61
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
11
Turn left onto PA 61
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Fountain Street
12
Continue on PA 61
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oak Street
13
Turn right onto PA 61
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lehigh Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Skyline Drive
15
Continue on PA 61
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
16
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
17
Continue on PA 61
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
18
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
19
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
20
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
23
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
30
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
31
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
32
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
33
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
34
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and 85.4-mile distance, this trip is best suited for a single day. You could depart in the morning to arrive in Bethlehem by late morning. With no designated stops in the data, you have flexibility to pull over as needed, perhaps for a quick break or to refuel. The estimated fuel cost is $14, so keep that in mind for your budget. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the William Penn Highway onto other local roads, as it is your longest continuous stretch and a key part of the journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.7 miles from Catawissa, PA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 19 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
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 Catawissa, 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 Catawissa, PA
This is one driving day of about 85.4 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Catawissa, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 21.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Catawissa, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 16.5 and 83.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
71.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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
81.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m 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
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
7
83.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.16 one way
$28.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.51 | $31.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.56 | $33.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
11 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
2h 2m 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 route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a variety of roads rather than settling into a long highway cruise. While 4% of the journey involves highways, the majority is on more local arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.6 miles on the William Penn Highway. This suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation and road changes, rather than a monotonous interstate experience. Be prepared for frequent adjustments as you transition between different road types.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
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 16.5 miles in near PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 85.4 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 16.5 miles (PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,662 ft
346 ft
Total Climb
1,969 ft
Total Descent
2,136 ft
Highest Point
1,662 ft
~12.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,316 ft
Notable High Points
1,662 ft at ~12.2 miles
+692 ft prominence
1,455 ft at ~24.4 miles
+539 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.
On the drive from Catawissa, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Lvi Airport along the way.
Lvi Airport
71.2 mi in
|
~1h 40m
|
via US 22
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 85.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.6 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bethlehem, PA before heading back.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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