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Trip from Freedom, PA to Allentown, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 56m

Distance

305 mi

491 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 44m ★
6 AM
5h 57m
8 AM
6h 23m
10 AM
6h 6m
12 PM
6h 3m
3 PM
6h 7m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 49m

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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Downtown Freedom, PA, PA

Freedom, PA

Lisa from Pexels

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 305-mile journey from Freedom, PA, to Allentown, PA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 56 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 69% of the drive on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway. With a projected fuel cost of $51, this trip is a manageable one-day excursion through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. You'll experience a direct drive with minimal detours, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B.

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

152.5 miles from Freedom, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 198.7 mi 3h 37m
William Penn Highway 42.8 mi 50m
American Legion Memorial Highway 22.5 mi 27m
I 81 12.7 mi 15m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Tilghman Street 4.9 mi 8m
Freedom Crider Road 4.6 mi 7m
Freedom Road 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 198.7 mi, about 3h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Freedom, PA and Allentown, PA.

1

Start on 6th Avenue

11 ft · 7 sec · 6th Avenue
2

Turn left onto 9th Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · 9th Street
3

Continue on Lovi Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lovi Road
4

Keep slight right at fork onto Freedom Crider Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Freedom Crider Road
5

Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road

102 ft · 1 sec · Freedom Crider Road
6

Continue on Freedom Crider Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · Freedom Crider Road
7

Continue on Freedom Road

2.5 mi · 4 min · Freedom Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8

Turn right onto US 19

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Perry Highway
Use the right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
12

Merge onto I 76; PATP

199 mi · 3 hr 37 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
13

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on US 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
17

Merge onto I 81

13 mi · 15 min · I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
21

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

19 mi · 22 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec
Exit 89 Toward I 78 East: Allentown
25

Continue on I 78

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway
26

Continue on I 78; US 22

43 mi · 50 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
27

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.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Cetronia Use the slight right lane.
29

Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
30

Arrive at destination

Tilghman Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 56-minute duration, starting your drive from Freedom, PA, in the early morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps midway through the 305-mile journey. The longest stretch is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. This route's highway-centric nature means you can cover ground quickly, but staying aware of posted speed limits and any potential construction zones will ensure a smooth and safe arrival in Allentown.

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 152.5 miles from Freedom, PA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.7 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 152.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 49m

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 Freedom, 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 Freedom, PA

This is one driving day of about 305 miles and 5h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Freedom, 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 198.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hollidaysburg, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hollidaysburg, PA

153 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

Trafford, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152.5 miles from Freedom, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.7 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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 17m in 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Hartwood Restaurant & Whispers Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+14127673500

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

The Nest Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $40 to $50

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17245279880

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Adamsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 298.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
8.8 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, 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 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
7
8.9 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
208.5 mi into trip | ~3h 55m 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
209.4 mi into trip | ~3h 57m 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
298.9 mi into trip | ~5h 47m 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

$50.57 one way

$101.13 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 107 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $55.38 $110.76
premium $4.93 $59.15 $118.30
diesel $5.61 $67.34 $134.68

Estimated Tolls: $25.90

Pennsylvania Turnpike (198.7 mi) $25.83
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

$51

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$101–$126

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91.5 1 $32.03 $14.64
Efficient EV 76.3 0 $26.69 $12.20
EV Truck/SUV 122 1 $42.70 $19.52

Gas CO2

107 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Freedom, PA

Late night in Freedom on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allentown, PA

Late night in Allentown on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live 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

8 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 56m 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

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 252.4
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 210.4
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 105.2
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour Free near mile 73.6
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

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...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 126.2
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 305-mile trip, with 69% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 198.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, you'll also navigate sections of the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway, which may offer slight variations in scenery and speed. This route generally maintains a steady driving rhythm, allowing for efficient progress across the state.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 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 21 significant decision points across 305 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Freedom, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg and Marysville.

Harrisburg

208.5 mi in | ~3h 55m

Marysville

223.7 mi in | ~4h 16m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 305 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 198.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $25.90 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 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.5 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, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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