Conemaugh, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 222.1 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. With just one recommended stop, you can easily complete this route within daylight hours if you plan accordingly.
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
111.1 miles from Conemaugh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m 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
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi
14m
78th Division Highway
7.6 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
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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 Bethlehem, 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, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse 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 89Toward 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
10 mi·14 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville RoadUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: BethlehemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi·2 min·Bethlehem Spur Route
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 2Toward Eighth AvenueUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·8th Avenue
43
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·West Union Boulevard
44
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft·11 sec·Center Street
45
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Goepp Street
46
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft·1 sec·Linden Street
47
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 38-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $40, you can easily complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading onto longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is where you'll cover the most ground quickly, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before or after that 81-mile segment.
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 111.1 miles from Conemaugh, PA, or about 2h 18m 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 49 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 18m 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 46m
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 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 222.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 117.5 and 218.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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...
7
218.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
$39.09 one way
$78.17 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$42.74
$85.48
premium
$5.23
$45.70
$91.39
diesel
$6.18
$54.03
$108.06
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
$39
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.43
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Conemaugh, PA
Morning
in Conemaugh on Saturday
Local time
9:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 to 17 mph99% chanceLive 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
Bethlehem, PA
Morning
in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
9:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 15 mph95% chanceLive 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 38m 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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 114.9
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 160.9
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...
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
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 7.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 43% highway driving, with the longest stretch of continuous highway at 81 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this segment, expect the transition to surface roads like the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway. The mix means you'll experience periods of faster travel followed by more local road navigation, likely with more frequent intersections as you move off the main turnpike.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 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 117.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 222.1 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 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; at 207.9 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
2,409 ft356 ft
Total Climb
1,461 ft
Total Descent
2,317 ft
Highest Point
2,409 ft
~15.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,053 ft
Notable High Points
2,409 ft at ~15.9 miles+1,197 ft prominence
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 Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 222.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m 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 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 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; at 207.9 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethlehem, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
