This 192.6-mile drive from Clearfield to Allentown, Pennsylvania, is comfortably manageable within a single day, taking an estimated 3 hours and 48 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and State Route 54, with about 6% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip offers a straightforward drive through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively short, focused journey without the need for an overnight stop.
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
96.3 miles from Clearfield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.7 mi
1h 51m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearfield, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on River Road
89 ft·8 sec·River Road
2
Turn left onto US 322; PA 153
413 ft·8 sec·Nichols Street
3
Continue on US 322
487 ft·10 sec·Bridge Street
4
Turn slight left onto US 322
1.4 mi·2 min·Bigler Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Merge onto PA 879
1.4 mi·2 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
10
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
11
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
13
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
14
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
16
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
17
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
18
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
19
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
20
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
21
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
22
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
23
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
24
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
25
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
28
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 48-minute duration, starting your journey from Clearfield in the morning allows ample time to reach Allentown without feeling rushed. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan to take advantage of that break to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto State Route 54, as services may be more spread out than on major highways. The relatively short distance means you have flexibility with your departure time, but an earlier start is generally advisable for a more relaxed experience.
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 96.3 miles from Clearfield, PA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 42 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.3 miles or 1h 45m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allentown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clearfield, 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 Clearfield, PA
This is one driving day of about 192.6 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Clearfield, 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 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 187.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street
Turn left onto US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street
Navigation decision point
5
107.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
107.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
186.5 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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...
6
187.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward Cetronia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cetronia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.93 one way
$63.86 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$34.97
$69.94
premium
$4.93
$37.35
$74.70
diesel
$5.61
$42.52
$85.05
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1 mi)$0.07
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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
Efficient EV
48.2
0
$16.85
$7.70
EV Truck/SUV
77
0
$26.96
$12.33
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Clearfield, PA
Late night
in Clearfield on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
27 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 48m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 146.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction. While 6% of the route is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 103.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of consistent travel before transitioning to more varied road conditions. This drive is less about monotonous highway cruising and more about engaging with the local road network as you progress towards Allentown.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 192.6 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: near the start (US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): 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.
On the drive from Clearfield, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Clearfield is a borough in Clearfield County Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Clearfield County, a part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The community is known for its abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities, such as hiking, bicycling, hunting, fishing and canoeing.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 192.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 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 Allentown, 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: near the start (US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Allentown, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
