Kimmel, PA to Allentown, PA is 222.2 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traveling entirely within Pennsylvania. Expect a mixed drive experience, primarily utilizing major highways for efficiency. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward journey, making it a practical option if you're looking for a direct way to get from point A to point B.
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
111.1 miles from Kimmel, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
116.5 mi
2h 9m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
New Centerville Road
5.3 mi
9m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Cross Road
1.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 116.5 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimmel, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on SR 3029
0.3 mi·43 sec·Copper Kettle Highway
2
Turn left onto Cross Road
1.5 mi·5 min·Cross Road
3
Turn left onto PA 281
5.3 mi·9 min·New Centerville Road
4
Continue on PA 281
0.5 mi·58 sec·Tayman Avenue
5
Continue on PA 31; PA 281
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Patriot Street
6
Turn left onto South Center Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Center Avenue
7
Turn left onto Ramada Road
0.3 mi·31 sec·Ramada Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
117 mi·2 hr 9 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
14
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
18
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
22
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
23
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m duration and 222.2-mile distance, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time to reach Allentown by late afternoon. While only one stop is suggested, consider breaking up the 116.5-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Keep an eye out for transitions between the major highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the more localized William Penn Highway, as these can sometimes involve changes in speed limits or road conditions.
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 111.1 miles from Kimmel, PA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 49 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 12m 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 40m
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 Kimmel, 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 Kimmel, PA
This is one driving day of about 222.2 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Kimmel, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 116.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 111.1 miles from Kimmel, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.5 miles.
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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 125.7 and 216.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
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 I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
7
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
6
141 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
6
145.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.84 one way
$73.68 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.35
$80.69
premium
$4.93
$43.09
$86.19
diesel
$5.61
$49.06
$98.12
Estimated Tolls: $15.22
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(116.5 mi)$15.15
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
$37
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.67
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.44
$8.89
EV Truck/SUV
88.9
1
$31.11
$14.22
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kimmel, PA
Morning
in Kimmel on Sunday
Local time
9:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
9:31 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
36 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 30m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 122.6
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 168.6
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 15.3
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
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
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 116.5 miles. Beyond the turnpike, you'll also navigate segments of the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway, suggesting a blend of faster-paced travel and potentially more local road sections. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between these different types of roadways, offering variety throughout the 4h 30m trip.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 222.2 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 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kimmel, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg and Marysville.
Harrisburg
125.7 mi in|~2h 29m
Marysville
140.8 mi in|~2h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 222.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.22 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Allentown, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
