Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Milton, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
105.4 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Milton, PA
Haneul Trac
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Milton to Bethlehem is 105.4 miles and takes about 2h 18m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region from one point to another. You'll primarily be on surface roads, so expect a more local feel compared to a pure interstate cruise. With a total trip time under 2.5 hours and minimal stops recommended, this is a straightforward option for a quick hop between towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Milton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Keystone Shortway | 8.2 mi | 8m |
| Gordon Nagle Trail | 4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,425 veh/hr typical · worst 1,921
Quietest
2 AM
~286 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Milton, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on PA 642
66 ft
·
10 sec
·
Mahoning Street
2
Turn left onto South Turbot Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Turbot Avenue
3
Turn right onto PA 254
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Broadway Street
4
Continue on PA 254
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Broadway Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
8.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
8
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
9
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
11
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
12
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
14
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
15
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
16
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
17
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
18
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
19
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
20
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
21
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
22
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
23
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
26
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
33
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
34
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
35
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
36
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
37
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under 2.5 hours and recommended for a single day, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic and arrive in Bethlehem with plenty of afternoon daylight. You won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $17. There are no specific stop recommendations, so you can easily drive straight through or pull over spontaneously if needed.
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 52.7 miles from Milton, PA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 51m
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 Milton, 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 Milton, PA
This is one driving day of about 105.4 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Milton, 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 21.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Milton, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 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
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 103.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12 mi into trip
|
~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
9
91.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
101.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
101.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
103.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
$17.20 one way
$34.39 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $18.91 | $37.82 |
| premium | $4.86 | $20.18 | $40.36 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $22.42 | $44.84 |
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.22 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Milton, PA
Morning in Milton on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Patchy Drizzle
NE 6 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Rain
E 10 mph
94% chance
Live forecast
45°F
Ashland, PA
53 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
1 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
2h 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 54.5
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 consists mainly of surface roads, with only 11% of the route on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating through towns and local areas, with the longest continuous stretch on William Penn Highway measuring 21.6 miles. Expect to encounter frequent intersections and potential slowdowns as you transition from more open stretches to built-up areas. The primary roads you'll follow include William Penn Highway, State Route 54, and Center Avenue.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
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 12 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 105.4 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 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Milton, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Washingtonville
12 mi in
|
~16m
Lvi Airport
91.2 mi in
|
~1h 57m
|
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 2h 18m. Total distance: 105.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.6 miles on William Penn Highway. 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 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.5 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. 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 Bethlehem, PA before heading back.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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