Origin
Earlston, PA
Morning in Earlston on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Earlston, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
178.7 mi
288 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Earlston, PA
Haneul Trac
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Earlston, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 37m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. You'll experience a mix of major highway travel and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Plan for this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points without extensive detours.
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
89.3 miles from Earlston, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 72.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| William Penn Highway | 42.8 mi | 50m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 22.5 mi | 27m |
| I 81 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Harrisburg Pike | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Earlston, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on PA 26
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East 4th Avenue
2
Continue on Providence Street
355 ft
·
14 sec
·
Providence Street
3
Turn right onto West 5th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Avenue
4
Turn left onto Black Valley Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Black Valley Road
5
Turn slight right onto Ashcom Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ashcom Road
6
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
1 min
7
At end of road, turn right onto I 70; I 76; PATP
73 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
16
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
20
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
21
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
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.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
28
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
29
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
30
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
31
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
32
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility for potential stops along the way. The $30 fuel cost estimate suggests a single fill-up might be sufficient, but it's always wise to top off before you leave Earlston. Watch for the transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to surface roads, as this is where your driving pace will likely change. With only one recommended stop, you can easily adjust your schedule based on traffic or rest needs.
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 89.3 miles from Earlston, PA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 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 2h 54m
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 Earlston, 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 Earlston, PA
This is one driving day of about 178.7 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Earlston, 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 72.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Earlston, 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 72.5 miles.
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 235 decision points cluster between mile 74 and 174.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
74 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
164.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
174.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
174.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
$29.63 one way
$59.25 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $32.45 | $64.89 |
| premium | $4.93 | $34.66 | $69.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.45 | $78.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $10.15
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(72.5 mi)
$9.43
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
$30
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Morning in Bethlehem on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Middlesex, PA
89 mi in
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
15 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
3h 37m 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.
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 73.9
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 117.1
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 48% highway, meaning you'll spend nearly half your time on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 72.5 miles, which occurs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, expect the road to transition to more surface streets, indicated by the 'Mixed highway & surface' profile. You'll notice a shift in traffic patterns and speed as you move from the turnpike to the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 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 74 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 23 significant decision points across 178.7 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 74 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 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
1,824 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
1,020 ft
Total Descent
1,745 ft
Highest Point
1,824 ft
~12.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,468 ft
Notable High Points
1,824 ft at ~12.8 miles
+743 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 Earlston, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Harrisburg
74 mi in
|
~1h 24m
Marysville
89.2 mi in
|
~1h 45m
Lvi Airport
164.4 mi in
|
~3h 16m
|
via US 22
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 178.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.15 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 74 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 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 Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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