Trip from Elim, PA to Allentown, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

216.1 mi

348 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 17m ★

6 AM

4h 30m

8 AM

4h 57m

10 AM

4h 39m

12 PM

4h 37m

3 PM

4h 41m

5 PM

4h 56m

8 PM

4h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Elim, PA

Haneul Trac

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 216.4 miles, your journey from Elim to Allentown is a straightforward trek across Pennsylvania that typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance. While the trip is manageable as a single-day excursion, the nature of the roads requires your full attention behind the wheel. You will remain within the Northeast region throughout the entire transit, transitioning between local communities rather than navigating major interstate corridors. It is a practical, no-nonsense route perfect for drivers who prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel.

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

108 miles from Elim, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m 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 28 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 Elim, PA and Allentown, PA.

Start on Alberta Avenue

509 ft · 26 sec · Alberta Avenue

Turn right onto Goucher Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · Goucher Street

Turn left onto Franklin Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · Franklin Street

Turn right onto Osborne Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Osborne Street

Turn right onto PA 403

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Central Avenue

Turn left onto PA 756

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ohio Street

Turn left onto Oakland Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Oakland Avenue

Turn left onto Penrod Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Penrod Street

Turn right onto Bedford Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bedford Street

Continue on Scalp Avenue

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Scalp Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue

145 ft · 2 sec · Scalp Avenue

Continue on Scalp Avenue

3.7 mi · 6 min · Scalp Avenue

Continue on PA 56

11 mi · 14 min · Clear Shade Drive

Continue on PA 56

14 mi · 20 min · Quaker Valley Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Merge onto I 99; US 220

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 99; US 220

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg

Keep slight right at fork

284 ft · 8 sec

Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford

Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Business 220

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

81 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 81

13 mi · 15 min · I 81

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

19 mi · 22 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 89 Toward I 78 East: Allentown

Continue on I 78

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway

Continue on I 78; US 22

43 mi · 50 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight lane.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward Cetronia Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

Tilghman Street

Trip Plan

Since you have one recommended stop during this 216.4-mile trek, plan your break strategically to avoid driver fatigue on such a turn-intensive path. Departing early in the day is your best bet to navigate the local roads before peak traffic hours set in, giving you more flexibility for your scheduled stop. Because the entire route avoids highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local road driving can sometimes be less efficient than cruising at steady interstate speeds. Remember that your $35 fuel budget is an estimate, so consider padding that amount slightly for safety. Prioritize smooth steering and consistent pacing to make the most of this winding, local-only journey.

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 108 miles from Elim, PA, or about 2h 16m 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 48 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108 miles or 2h 16m 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 41m

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 Elim, 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 Elim, PA

This is one driving day of about 216.1 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Elim, 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.

borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chambersburg, PA

108 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

Point, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bridgeport, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108 miles from Elim, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 28

5 decision points cluster between mile 38.1 and 210 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

38.1 mi into trip | ~59m 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

119.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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

120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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

134.9 mi into trip | ~2h 50m 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

210 mi into trip | ~4h 20m 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

$34.46 one way

$68.91 round trip

$4.05/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$38.13	$76.26
premium	$4.81	$40.91	$81.81
diesel	$4.80	$40.80	$81.61

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

$34

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.8	0	$22.69	$10.37
Efficient EV	54	0	$18.91	$8.64
EV Truck/SUV	86.4	1	$30.25	$13.83

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Elim, PA

Afternoon in Elim on Sunday

Local time

1:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

W 3 to 12 mph 84% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:29PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:26PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Allentown, PA

Afternoon in Allentown on Sunday

Local time

1:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Patchy Smoke

W 5 to 10 mph 65% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:29PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:26PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM 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

3 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 30m 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 ~3 min detour Free near mile 119.2

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 163.9

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 ~17 min detour Free near mile 7.5

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 ~31 min detour Free near mile 14.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a technical driving experience, as this route consists entirely of local roads like Goucher Street, Franklin Street, and Osborne Street. With a highway share of 0%, you won't encounter the monotony of long, straight interstates; instead, you'll be navigating constant turns and local traffic patterns. The longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on Goucher Street, confirming that this is a hands-on drive requiring frequent adjustments. You will find that the lack of highway miles keeps your speed lower but demands more engagement with the road. This is a classic local transit path that favors steady navigation over high-speed cruising.

44% 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 38.1 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 28 significant decision points across 216.1 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 38.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,326 ft 346 ft

Total Climb

2,540 ft

Total Descent

3,845 ft

Highest Point

2,326 ft

~15.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,980 ft

Notable High Points

2,326 ft at ~15.4 miles +675 ft prominence

1,805 ft at ~61.7 miles +716 ft prominence

1,629 ft at ~92.6 miles +684 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elim, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Marysville.

Pittsburgh

36.8 mi in | ~56m

Harrisburg

36.8 mi in | ~56m

Patp: Pittsburgh

38 mi in | ~58m

Marysville

134.7 mi in | ~2h 50m

About the Cities

Starting in Elim, PA

Full guide →

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 30m. Total distance: 216.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 30m 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.

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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 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, EIA for fuel prices, 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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Explore more options from Elim, PA or browse trips ending in Allentown, PA.

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Trip from Elim, PA to Allentown, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-81

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

South Midway Service Plaza

North Midway Service Plaza

Blue Mountain Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Flying J Travel Center

Sideling Hill Service Plaza

Cumberland Valley Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Love's Travel Stop

ONE9 Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Allentown Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Sheetz

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elim, PA

Allentown, PA

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 30m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Elim, PA

Arriving in Allentown, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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