Origin
Howard, PA
Late night in Howard on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Howard, PA to Allentown, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
149.3 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 149.3-mile drive from Howard to Allentown, Pennsylvania, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. You'll navigate a blend of highways and local roads, with about 8% of the journey on high-speed routes. Expect a fuel cost around $25 for this route. The drive has a generally turn-heavy local feel, making it a pleasant, if not entirely high-speed, excursion through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't demand an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.6 miles from Howard, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 45.5 mi | 49m |
| 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 |
| Eagle Valley Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| North Eagle Valley Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 45.5 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Howard, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on PA 26
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto PA 150
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Eagle Valley Road
3
Continue on PA 150
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on PA 150
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Eagle Valley Road
5
Turn right onto PA 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Water Street
6
Continue on PA 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Nittany Valley Drive
7
Turn left onto PA 477
371 ft
·
9 sec
·
Long Run Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
9
Continue on US 220
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
46 mi
·
49 min
·
Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
13
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
14
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
16
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
17
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
19
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
20
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
21
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
23
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
24
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
25
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
26
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
27
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
28
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
31
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
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.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Cetronia
Use the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic and to have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $25, you won't need to plan extensively for lengthy breaks or frequent refueling. Pay close attention to the various local roads, especially the State Route 54 segment, as these can have tighter turns and varying speed limits.
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 74.6 miles from Howard, PA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.5 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
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 Howard, 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 Howard, PA
This is one driving day of about 149.3 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Howard, 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 45.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Howard, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 64 and 144.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
143.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m 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
144.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m 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
$24.75 one way
$49.50 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $27.11 | $54.22 |
| premium | $4.93 | $28.95 | $57.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.96 | $65.93 |
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
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.68 | $7.17 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 7m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is best described as turn-heavy and local, with only a small 8% share on highways. You'll experience a variety of road types, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.5 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before you transition back to more winding local routes. This route demands your attention, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 64 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 149.3 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 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 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.
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 Howard, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
64 mi in
|
~1h 16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 149.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.5 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 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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