Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Homer City, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
263.5 mi
424 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 0m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 23m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Homer City, PA
Haneul Trac
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Homer City, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region from west to east. Expect a drive that predominantly uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With just one recommended stop and a drive under six hours, it's a straightforward trip for a single day.
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
131.7 miles from Homer City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 103.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| PA 286 Truck | 28 mi | 33m |
| 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 |
| Mahaffey Grampian Highway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical · worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Homer City, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Indiana Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Indiana Street
3
Continue on Old US 119 Highway South
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Old US 119 Highway South
4
Turn right onto Lucerne Road Extension
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Lucerne Road Extension
5
Turn left onto US 119; PA 56
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 119; PA 56
6
Continue on US 119; PA 286 Truck
3.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 119; PA 286 Truck
7
Take the exit onto PA 286 Truck
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 286 Truck
Toward PA 286: Clymer, Indiana
8
Take the exit onto PA 286 Truck
27 mi
·
31 min
·
PA 286 Truck
Toward PA 286 East: Clymer
9
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Burnside McGee Highway
10
Continue on US 219
515 ft
·
6 sec
·
Burnside - McGees Highway
11
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Colonel Drake Highway
12
Continue on US 219; PA 36
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Main Street
13
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
14
Continue on US 219
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
1st Street
15
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Road
16
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Curwensville Grampian Highway
17
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Curwensville Grampain Highway
18
Continue on PA 879
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Clearfield Curwensville Highway
19
Turn right onto PA 879
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Clearfield Shawville Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
21
Merge onto I 80
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Keystone Shortway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
23
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
24
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
26
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
27
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
29
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
30
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
31
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
32
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
33
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
34
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
35
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
36
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
37
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
38
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
41
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
42
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.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
44
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
46
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
47
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
48
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
49
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
50
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
51
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
52
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m duration, leaving Homer City in the morning allows ample time to reach Bethlehem before evening. The route is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider breaking it up. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's wise to fill up before you leave Homer City or at a point along the Keystone Shortway, as services may be less frequent once you're primarily on surface roads. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the main roads and local highways to ensure you stay on track.
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 131.7 miles from Homer City, PA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 29m 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 10m
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 Homer City, 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 Homer City, PA
This is one driving day of about 263.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Homer City, 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 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.7 miles from Homer City, 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 103.7 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.
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
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
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
1.6 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 261.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
PA 286 Truck
Take the exit onto PA 286 Truck toward PA 286: Clymer, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 286: Clymer, Indiana
9
249.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
259.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m 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
259.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
261.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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
$46.02 one way
$92.04 round trip
$4.44/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $50.39 | $100.77 |
| premium | $5.20 | $53.90 | $107.81 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.11 | $130.21 |
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| Efficient EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.89 | $16.86 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Homer City, PA
Late night in Homer City on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
NE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 22 at 10:47PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 22 at 2:55PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
N 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 22 at 10:47PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 22 at 2:55PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 13m 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 209
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...
25 mi from route
~61 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 features 17% highway travel, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads like PA 286 Truck and William Penn Highway. The longest stretch on a main road, 103.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, provides a chance for more consistent cruising before transitioning. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you move from highway segments to local routes.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 6.9 miles in near PA 286 Truck.
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 24 significant decision points across 263.5 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 6.9 miles (PA 286 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.5 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
1,761 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
2,840 ft
Total Descent
3,509 ft
Highest Point
1,761 ft
~94.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,405 ft
Notable High Points
1,592 ft at ~131.7 miles
+504 ft prominence
1,502 ft at ~188.2 miles
+795 ft prominence
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 Homer City, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Washingtonville
170 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Lvi Airport
249.2 mi in
|
~4h 51m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Homer City, PA
Full guide →Founded 1854
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 5h 13m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.7 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 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (PA 286 Truck): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.5 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 and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethlehem, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bethlehem, PA
More from Homer City, PA
More trips to Bethlehem, PA
Explore more options from Homer City, PA or browse trips ending in Bethlehem, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.