Hershey, PA to Allentown, PA is 72.9 miles and takes about 1h 33m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward local journey. Expect a route that involves frequent turns rather than high-speed highway travel. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for when you depart and how you structure your time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.5 miles from Hershey, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Laudermilch Road
5.2 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
1 mi
1m
Hersheypark Drive
0.9 mi
1m
Park Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 42.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hershey, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 422
222 ft·11 sec·West Chocolate Avenue
3
Turn right onto PA 743
0.7 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto PA 743
0.9 mi·1 min·Hersheypark Drive
5
Turn left onto PA 743
1.3 mi·1 min·Laudermilch Road
6
Continue on PA 743
0.5 mi·44 sec·Old Laudermilch Road
7
Turn straight onto PA 743
3.9 mi·6 min·Laudermilch Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on Bow Creek Road
0.4 mi·46 sec·Bow Creek Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Allentown, Hazleton
10
Merge onto I 81
7.7 mi·8 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
12
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
13
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1 hour and 33 minute drive with a low fuel cost of around $12, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic in either Hershey or Allentown. While there are no designated stops mentioned, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you might want to break up the journey with a brief pause, perhaps after the longest stretch of 42.8 miles on William Penn Highway. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the frequent turns are a key characteristic of this route, ensuring you stay on track efficiently.
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 36.5 miles from Hershey, PA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 47m 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 17m
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 Hershey, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hershey, PA
This is one driving day of about 72.9 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Hershey, 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 42.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 67.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 422 / West Chocolate Avenue
Turn right onto US 422 / West Chocolate Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 743 / Park Avenue
Turn right onto PA 743 / Park Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
15.8 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
9
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
$12.09 one way
$24.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.24
$26.47
premium
$4.93
$14.14
$28.28
diesel
$5.61
$16.10
$32.19
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: 25.5 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
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.38
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
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 19, 2026
Origin
Hershey, PA
Afternoon
in Hershey on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Afternoon
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Bloomsburg, PA
36 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
26 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 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share. You'll primarily navigate on local roads, including segments of the William Penn Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway, and 78th Division Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.8 miles on the William Penn Highway. This suggests a journey with varied speed limits and frequent adjustments to your navigation, rather than a continuous interstate experience. Be prepared for a more engaging driving experience that requires your attention to local road conditions and turns.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.8 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 422 / West Chocolate Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 72.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 422 / West Chocolate Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 743 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hershey, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Hazleton, Lvi Airport and Cetronia.
Hershey is an unincorporated village in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania. It has a rich history and cultural significance being the birthplace of Hershey's Chocolate. One of the village's most well known attractions is Hersheypark, a theme park that provides fun for the family.
Top landmarks
•Hersheypark — theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
•Fahrenheit — steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 72.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.8 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.
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.
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: near the start (US 422 / West Chocolate Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 743 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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.
