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Trip from Henderson, 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

4h 40m

Distance

241 mi

388 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 27m ★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 32m

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 Henderson, PA, PA

Henderson, PA

Ezkol Arnak

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 241-mile drive from Henderson, PA to Allentown, PA will take about 4 hours and 40 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and State Route 54, with a relatively low highway share of 5%. Expect a fuel cost of around $40 for this journey. The route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, so plan for a less direct, more engaging trip. Given the duration and road type, this is best tackled in a single day. Both your origin and destination are within Pennsylvania's Northeast region.

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

120.5 miles from Henderson, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 153.1 mi 2h 44m
William Penn Highway 21.6 mi 26m
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
Tilghman Street 4.9 mi 8m
Gordon Nagle Trail 4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 153.1 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Kingsville Road

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Kingsville Road
2

Continue on C L School Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · C L School Road
3

Turn right onto Simpson Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Simpson Road
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 322

1.2 mi · 1 min · Route 322
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
6

Merge onto I 80

153 mi · 2 hr 44 min · Keystone Shortway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
8

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec
9

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street
11

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
12

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
14

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway
15

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
16

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
17

Continue on PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Street
18

Turn right onto PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
19

Turn right onto PA 901

4.0 mi · 6 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
20

Continue on PA 901

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
21

Turn left onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street
22

Turn right onto PA 61

493 ft · 6 sec · Route 61 South
23

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Continue on PA 61

2.7 mi · 3 min · Centre Street
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
26

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 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

For this 4-hour, 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic in more populated areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $40 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up, especially before embarking on the longest 153.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. This route's turn-heavy nature means staying focused on navigation is key; consider pre-downloading offline maps.

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 120.5 miles from Henderson, PA, or about 2h 11m 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 53 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 42m

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 Henderson, 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 Henderson, PA

This is one driving day of about 241 miles and 4h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Henderson, 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.

city in and county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Williamsport, PA

121 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

Mount Joy, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellefonte, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.5 miles from Henderson, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.1 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

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

DuBois, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Brookville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

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 155.7 and 235.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
155.7 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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
155.9 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
159.3 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | PA 54 / Elysburg Road

Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
234.9 mi into trip | ~4h 30m 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
235.9 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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

$39.95 one way

$79.91 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $43.76 $87.52
premium $4.93 $46.74 $93.48
diesel $5.61 $53.21 $106.42

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

$40

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.3 0 $25.30 $11.57
Efficient EV 60.3 0 $21.09 $9.64
EV Truck/SUV 96.4 1 $33.74 $15.42

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Henderson, PA

Morning in Henderson on Tuesday

Local time

8:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Mostly Sunny

NW 2 to 6 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Destination

Allentown, PA

Morning in Allentown on Tuesday

Local time

8:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

63°F

Williamsport, PA

121 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

11 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

4h 40m 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...

20 mi from route ~51 min detour Free near mile 199.5
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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 is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you won't be on high-speed interstates for most of the journey. With only a 5% highway share, expect a more intimate connection with the landscape and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 153.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a significant period of steady driving. As you progress, the route will likely shift between more open highway sections and tighter, local road navigation, requiring your attention to turns and speed limits.

Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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 155.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 241 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 155.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 159.3 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): 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.

On the drive from Henderson, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.

Washingtonville

155.7 mi in | ~2h 49m

About the Cities

Arriving in Allentown, PA

Full guide →

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.

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 40m. Total distance: 241 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 40m 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 155.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 159.3 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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