South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Conemaugh, PA to Allentown, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
214 mi
344 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Conemaugh, PA
Michael Taccetta
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Conemaugh, PA to Allentown, PA is 214 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Northeast region, specifically traversing Pennsylvania for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. It's a practical choice for moving between these two points without extensive planning.
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
107 miles from Conemaugh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m 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 |
| Quaker Valley Road | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| I 81 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Tilghman Street | 4.9 mi | 8m |
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 Conemaugh, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on Coal Street
222 ft
·
12 sec
·
Coal Street
2
Turn right onto Steel Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Steel Street
3
Turn straight onto Frankstown Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Frankstown Road
4
Turn left onto Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Adams Street
5
Turn left onto Bedford Street
179 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bedford Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
7
Merge onto PA 56
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 56
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
9
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bedford Street
10
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
12
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Scalp Avenue
13
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
14
Continue on PA 56
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
18
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
19
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
22
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
27
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
31
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
35
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
36
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Cetronia
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 26m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential evening slowdowns. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to take a break, but consider fueling up before you hit longer stretches. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is your primary artery for the first part of the trip, so be mindful of tolls if they apply. Plan to transition to surface roads after about half the journey, adjusting your pace accordingly.
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 107 miles from Conemaugh, PA, or about 2h 14m 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
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 Conemaugh, 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 Conemaugh, PA
This is one driving day of about 214 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Conemaugh, 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
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107 miles from Conemaugh, 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
Allentown Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Sheetz
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 36.1 and 207.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.1 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
117.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
118.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
6
132.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
9
207.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.54 one way
$75.09 round trip
$4.46/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $41.44 | $82.89 |
| premium | $5.30 | $44.64 | $89.27 |
| diesel | $6.55 | $55.22 | $110.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.60
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)
$10.53
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
$38
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
| Efficient EV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.73 | $8.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.96 | $13.70 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Conemaugh, PA
Morning in Conemaugh on Saturday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 to 17 mph
99% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 8:56AM EDT until October 16 at 9:30AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 8:53AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning in Allentown on Saturday
Local time
9:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 15 mph
95% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 8:56AM EDT until October 16 at 9:30AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 16 at 8:53AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
4 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 26m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 118.1
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 162.3
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...
7 mi from route
~18 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 7.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 45% of this 214-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 81 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, expect a transition to surface roads for the remainder of your drive. The route features a mixed profile, meaning you'll encounter both higher-speed highway driving and potentially more stop-and-go traffic as you get closer to your destination.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 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 36.1 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 27 significant decision points across 214 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 36.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,567 ft
346 ft
Total Climb
2,284 ft
Total Descent
3,149 ft
Highest Point
2,567 ft
~15.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,221 ft
Notable High Points
2,567 ft at ~15.3 miles
+1,355 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 Conemaugh, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Marysville.
Pittsburgh
34.7 mi in
|
~52m
Harrisburg
34.7 mi in
|
~52m
Patp: Pittsburgh
35.9 mi in
|
~55m
Marysville
132.7 mi in
|
~2h 46m
About the Cities
Arriving in Allentown, PA
Full guide →Founded 1762
Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, the county seat and largest city in Lehigh County, and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a population of 125,845 as of 2020.
Top landmarks
- • Albertus L. Meyers Bridge — bridge in United States of America
- • Allentown Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Allentown, Pennsylvania
- • Allentown National Bank — bank building in Allentown, Pennsylvania
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 26m. Total distance: 214 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m 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 $10.60 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 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Allentown, 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, 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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