Driving from Elysburg to Allentown covers 73.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the William Penn Highway, State Route 54, and Center Avenue. With an estimated fuel cost of only $12, this is a budget-friendly way to move between these two Northeastern Pennsylvania locations. Since both the origin and destination are within the same region, you won't experience significant environmental shifts, but you should prepare for a consistent local driving experience. Overall, it serves as a straightforward connection that requires no overnight stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Elysburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi
6m
Centre Street
2.7 mi
3m
Fairgrounds Road
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elysburg, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on West Center Street
73 ft·3 sec·West Center Street
2
Turn right onto PA 54
1.7 mi·2 min·South Market Street
3
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
4
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
5
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
6
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
7
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
8
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
9
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
10
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
11
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
12
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
16
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 36 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops on this 73.7-mile route, make sure you are fueled up and ready before you head out, especially since the $12 fuel estimate assumes a direct trip. Keep a close eye on your navigation when moving between State Route 54 and Center Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can make missing a turn easy. If you are traveling during peak hours, factor in extra time for potential congestion on the local segments. Staying alert on those tighter curves will ensure a smoother arrival in Allentown.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.9 miles from Elysburg, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 16 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
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 Elysburg, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elysburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Elysburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 21.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 36.9 miles from Elysburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.6 and 68.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
31.6 mi into trip|~40m in|PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Turn left onto PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Navigation decision point
5
45.7 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
5
46 mi into trip|~1h in|I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge onto I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
$12.22 one way
$24.44 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.38
$26.76
premium
$4.93
$14.29
$28.59
diesel
$5.61
$16.27
$32.54
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.45
$2.95
EV Truck/SUV
29.5
0
$10.32
$4.72
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Elysburg, PA
Late night
in Elysburg on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 12:36AM EDT until April 14 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 12:23AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 12:36AM EDT until April 14 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 12:23AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
1 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
1h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 28
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 15% of your journey spent on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating smaller roads and intersections. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 21.6 miles along the William Penn Highway, which offers the most consistent driving experience of the trip. As you transition between the various state routes and local avenues, the character of the road changes frequently. Prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel where the pace remains steady but requires frequent adjustments through turns.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.6 miles in near PA 183 / Pottsville Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 31.6 miles (PA 183 / Pottsville Street): Navigation decision point; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Between Elysburg, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport and Cetronia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (15%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.6 miles on William Penn Highway. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.6 miles (PA 183 / Pottsville Street): Navigation decision point; at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Allentown, PA before heading back.
