Connecting Franklin to Allentown, this 274.8-mile journey across Pennsylvania typically takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. Because the route functions well as a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $45 for fuel, which keeps this excursion relatively budget-friendly for a cross-state trek. You will primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway, US Highway 322, and the William Penn Highway. While the transit remains entirely within the Northeast, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads requires your full attention. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that balances highway efficiency with the reality of local transit through the Keystone State.
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
137.4 miles from Franklin, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
153.1 mi
2h 44m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
US Highway 322
17.2 mi
25m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Main Street
6.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 153.1 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on 13th Street
27 ft·5 sec·13th Street
2
Turn right onto US 62; US 322; PA 8
0.8 mi·2 min·Liberty Street
3
Turn left onto US 322
0.2 mi·15 sec·8th Street
4
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·Lakes To the Sea Highway
5
Continue on US 322
4.8 mi·7 min·US Highway 322
6
Continue on US 322
2.7 mi·4 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
7
Continue on US 322
12 mi·17 min·US Highway 322
8
Continue on US 322
5.1 mi·7 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
11
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
14
Merge onto I 80
153 mi·2 hr 44 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
16
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
17
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
19
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
20
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
22
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
24
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
25
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
26
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
27
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
28
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
29
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
30
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
31
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
34
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
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.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
38
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5.5-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to navigate the turn-heavy local sections during daylight hours when visibility is highest. Given the $45 fuel estimate, keep an eye on your gauge while traversing the longer 153.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as service opportunities can be more spread out there. Since this is designed as a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; use your single planned stop strategically to refuel or grab a quick bite once you have cleared the initial highway portion of your route.
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 137.4 miles from Franklin, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, PA
This is one driving day of about 274.8 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Franklin, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 153.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 189.5 and 269.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
189.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
193.1 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
268.7 mi into trip|~5h 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...
6
269.6 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
$45.56 one way
$91.12 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$49.90
$99.79
premium
$4.93
$53.29
$106.59
diesel
$5.61
$60.67
$121.34
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
$46
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.85
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.47
$17.59
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Franklin, PA
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
4:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
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
18 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
5h 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 227.4
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 trip that feels like a blend of long-distance cruising and focused local navigation. With only 12% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time on secondary roads that demand active driving. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 153.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing the most consistent pace of the day. Once you transition off that stretch, the profile shifts into a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. The contrast between these fast highway sections and the winding local portions defines the unique personality of this Pennsylvania transit.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 189.5 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 274.8 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 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,959 ft346 ft
Total Climb
1,964 ft
Total Descent
2,628 ft
Highest Point
1,959 ft
~78.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,612 ft
Notable High Points
1,548 ft at ~157 miles+568 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Franklin, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Franklin is a city in Venango County, in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania. Franklin, Titusville and Oil City, make up the Oil Region. Although the town remains rather quiet, the oil boom has left the city with many historic buildings. The architectural features range from Victorian to Gothic Revival; it is said that all of the architectural styles used in the state from 1830 to 1930 can be observed in Franklin. The Appalachian Mountains and forests that surround the area also make it a popular destination for hikers and bikers looking to get out of the cities to experience nature.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 274.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 193.1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Allentown, PA before the return drive.
