South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Claysburg, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
205 mi
330 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
33 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Claysburg, PA
Jack Pace
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Claysburg, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 205 miles and takes about 4h 7m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region of the state to itself. The drive is a mixed bag, offering a good balance of efficient highway travel and potentially more local road cruising. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day journey, making it a practical choice for a quick getaway or an efficient transit.
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
102.5 miles from Claysburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 81 mi | 1h 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 42.8 mi | 50m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 22.5 mi | 27m |
| I 99 | 14 mi | 15m |
| I 81 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Dunnings Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
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
~2,785 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~380 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Claysburg, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Packard Street
118 ft
·
7 sec
·
Packard Street
2
Turn right onto Catherine Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Catherine Street
3
Turn left onto Arden Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Arden Street
4
Turn left onto US 220 Business
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Dunnings Highway
5
Take the ramp onto US 220 Business
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 220 Business
6
Merge onto I 99; US 220
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 99; US 220
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
8
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
9
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
17
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
21
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
25
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
26
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
33
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
34
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
35
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
36
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
37
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your trip in Claysburg, PA, in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Bethlehem, PA, with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up, especially with an 81-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike where services might be spaced out. Plan your fuel stop strategically before entering that longer segment for peace of mind.
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 102.5 miles from Claysburg, PA, or about 1h 59m 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Claysburg, 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 Claysburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 205 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Claysburg, 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
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.5 miles from Claysburg, 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
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 285 decision points cluster between mile 100.3 and 201.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
100.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m 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
101.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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
190.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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
201.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m 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
201.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
$32.69 one way
$65.37 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $36.17 | $72.35 |
| premium | $4.81 | $38.80 | $77.61 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.71 | $77.42 |
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
$33
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
33 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Breezewood, PA - Lincoln Highway - Tesla Supercharger
BREEZEWOOD, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Harrisburg, PA - Brindle Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Harrisburg, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Harrisburg, PA - Grayson Road - Tesla Supercharger
Harrisburg, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Kutztown, PA Rechargery @ Sheetz - Golden Key Rd
Kutztown, PA
IONNA
10 DCFC
Claysburg, PA - Tesla Supercharger
Claysburg, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Breezewood, PA - Tesla Supercharger
Breezewood, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Fort Littleton, PA - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Littleton, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Newburg, PA - Tesla Supercharger
Newburg, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Tesla: 11
ChargePoint Network: 5
Electrify America: 3
FCN: 3
eVgo Network: 2
EV Connect: 2
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
APPLEGREEN: 1
Blink Network: 1
Non-Networked: 1
EVGATEWAY: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
IONNA: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
| Efficient EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.94 | $8.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82 | 1 | $28.70 | $13.12 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Claysburg, PA
Late night in Claysburg on Monday
Local time
3:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Monday
Local time
3:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
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
2 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
4h 7m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 99
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 141.4
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 14.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway, allowing for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 81 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, providing a solid segment of straightforward driving. As you move between these main arteries, expect the character of the road to shift, incorporating elements of the American Legion Memorial Highway. It's not a constant interstate pace, but rather a varied experience that keeps things interesting.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.3 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 205 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 100.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.8 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
1,592 ft
302 ft
Total Climb
1,542 ft
Total Descent
2,335 ft
Highest Point
1,592 ft
~73.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,290 ft
Notable High Points
1,592 ft at ~73.2 miles
+679 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 Claysburg, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Pittsburgh
17.6 mi in
|
~21m
Harrisburg
17.6 mi in
|
~21m
Patp: Pittsburgh
18.8 mi in
|
~24m
Marysville
115.5 mi in
|
~2h 15m
Lvi Airport
190.8 mi in
|
~3h 45m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Claysburg, PA
Full guide →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 4h 7m. Total distance: 205 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 21 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.8 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethlehem, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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