Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Kennedy, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
175.6 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennedy, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 175.6-mile journey from Kennedy, PA, to Bethlehem, PA, a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. This drive primarily utilizes the Appalachian Thruway, William Penn Highway, and Keystone Shortway, with about 22% of the route on highways. Given its duration and the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, it's perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $29. You'll be staying within Pennsylvania for this entire Northeast region drive, making for a straightforward exploration of the state.
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
87.8 miles from Kennedy, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Thruway | 29.2 mi | 34m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| Keystone Shortway | 13 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 15 | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Appalachian Thruway
— 29.2 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennedy, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Kennedyville Road
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Kennedyville Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto T444
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
T444
3
Turn left onto Lawton Hill Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lawton Hill Road
4
Turn right onto Lawton Road
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Lawton Road
5
Turn right
468 ft
·
15 sec
6
Turn left onto Betsy Ross Road
2.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Betsy Ross Road
7
Continue on Broughton Hollow Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Broughton Hollow Road
8
Turn right onto PA 287
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Route 287
9
Continue on PA 414
9.7 mi
·
16 min
·
Route 414
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
11
Merge onto I 99; US 15
29 mi
·
34 min
·
Appalachian Thruway
12
Take the exit onto US 15
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 15
Exit 27A
Toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
159 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 15
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 15
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Market Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn slight left onto US 15
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Montgomery Pike
16
Continue on US 15
12 mi
·
16 min
·
US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 15
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Westbranch Highway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
20
Merge onto I 80
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
22
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
23
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
25
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
26
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
28
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
29
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
30
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
31
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
32
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
33
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
34
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
35
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
36
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
37
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
40
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
41
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.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
46
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
47
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
48
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
49
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
50
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
51
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 10-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 175.6 miles, you have flexibility. The estimated fuel cost is $29, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Kennedy, PA. Pay attention to the numerous turns, especially on the local road segments that constitute the majority of this route, as they can add time to your journey if missed.
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 87.8 miles from Kennedy, PA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.2 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 39 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 27m
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 Kennedy, 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 Kennedy, PA
This is one driving day of about 175.6 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kennedy, 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 Appalachian Thruway for about 29.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.8 miles from Kennedy, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 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
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 175.6
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 315 decision points cluster between mile 51.3 and 171.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
51.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
US 15
Take the exit onto US 15 toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
7
51.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
US 15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
161.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m 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
171.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m 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
171.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.11 one way
$58.22 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.88 | $63.77 |
| premium | $4.93 | $34.06 | $68.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.77
Appalachian Thruway
(29.2 mi)
$2.05
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
$29
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.58 | $11.24 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Kennedy, PA
Morning in Kennedy on Sunday
Local time
11:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
11:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph
3% chance
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
46 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 10m 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 121.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a dynamic driving experience, characterized by frequent turns and a significant portion on local roads, making up 78% of the journey. While there are some highway stretches, the overall profile is more of a turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 29.2 miles along the Appalachian Thruway. Expect the road conditions to vary as you transition between the main named routes and smaller local connectors.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.2 mi on Appalachian Thruway.
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 51.3 miles in near US 15.
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 31 significant decision points across 175.6 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 51.3 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.5 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,780 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
1,598 ft
Total Descent
3,023 ft
Highest Point
1,780 ft
Elevation Range
1,424 ft
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 Kennedy, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Washingtonville
82.1 mi in
|
~2h 7m
Lvi Airport
161.3 mi in
|
~3h 48m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →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.
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 10m. Total distance: 175.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.2 miles on Appalachian Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.77 in tolls one way, starting with Appalachian 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 5 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.3 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.5 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethlehem, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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