Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Frankstown, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frankstown, PA
Michael Taccetta
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Frankstown to Bethlehem is 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Keystone Shortway, I 99, and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. You'll experience a mixed drive, suggesting a blend of highway speeds and potentially more local road sections. Given the manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
107.4 miles from Frankstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 63.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 99 | 53.4 mi | 59m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,109 veh/hr typical · worst 1,510
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Frankstown, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Mill Street
52 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mill Street
2
Turn left onto US 22
261 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 22
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Frankstown Road
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Frankstown Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North
5
Merge onto I 99; US 220
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 99; US 220
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
8
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 80; US 220
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
11
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
12
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
14
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
17
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
18
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
19
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
20
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
21
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
22
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
23
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
24
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
25
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
26
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
29
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
36
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
37
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
38
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
39
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
40
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 18m drive, departing in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for the 214.8-mile journey. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a brief break or meal. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before you leave Frankstown. Pay attention to the highway share, as 30% of the route is on highways, which can influence your average speed and the need for rest stops. Consider the longest stretch of 63.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway as a good point to assess your need for a break.
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 107.4 miles from Frankstown, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 1m 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 26m
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 Frankstown, 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 Frankstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Frankstown, 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 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Frankstown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
TA
2.2 mi from route
Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 57.7 and 213 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
9
200.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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
210.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
211 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
7
213 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.25 one way
$68.50 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $37.90 | $75.81 |
| premium | $4.81 | $40.66 | $81.32 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.56 | $81.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
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
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 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 | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.80 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Frankstown, PA
Morning in Frankstown on Monday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 to 13 mph
82% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:45PM EDT until July 18 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:44PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Monday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Patchy Smoke
W 5 to 10 mph
64% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:45PM EDT until July 18 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:44PM EDT until July 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
83°F
Danville, PA
107 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
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 18m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 162.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
23 mi from route
~58 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 offers a mixed profile, with about 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, including a significant continuous segment of 63.4 miles. The route also incorporates I 99 and the William Penn Highway, indicating a varied driving experience. Expect periods of quicker travel interspersed with sections that might be more winding or involve lower speed limits as you navigate through different types of terrain and communities across Pennsylvania.
30% 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: 63.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 57.7 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 25 significant decision points across 214.8 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 57.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,461 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
1,666 ft
Total Descent
2,233 ft
Highest Point
1,461 ft
~92 mi in
Elevation Range
1,105 ft
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 Frankstown, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Washingtonville
121.3 mi in
|
~2h 16m
Lvi Airport
200.5 mi in
|
~3h 57m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Frankstown, PA
Full guide →Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →Founded 1741
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
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 18m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 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 — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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