Morrisville, PA to Allentown, PA is 288.6 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a practical day trip for most. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient drive between these two points with moderate travel time.
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
144.3 miles from Morrisville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
136.3 mi
2h 30m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
Roy E. Furman Highway
14.1 mi
19m
US 40
13.1 mi
15m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
McClellandtown Road
10.5 mi
18m
Pleasant Valley Road
7.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 136.3 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,785 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~380 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Morrisville, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on US 19
428 ft·15 sec·Mount Morris Road
2
Turn right onto PA 21
14 mi·19 min·Roy E. Furman Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on PA 21
10 mi·18 min·McClellandtown Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 119 North, US 40 West: Connellsville
6
Merge onto US 40; US 119
13 mi·15 min·US 40; US 119
7
Continue on US 119; PA 711 Truck
2.9 mi·3 min·US 119; PA 711 Truck
8
Take the exit
244 ft·6 sec
9
Turn straight onto PA 982
7.9 mi·13 min·Pleasant Valley Road
10
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·PA 31
11
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·33 sec
12
Turn left
28 ft·3 sec
13
Take the ramp
493 ft·12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
15
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
136 mi·2 hr 30 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
20
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
24
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
28
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
29
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 54m drive, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Allentown. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 136.3 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $48, and be prepared for the shift from highway to surface roads around mile 166. This transition can bring more varied traffic patterns and lower 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 144.3 miles from Morrisville, PA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.3 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 63 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.3 miles or 3h 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 50m
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 Morrisville, 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 Morrisville, PA
This is one driving day of about 288.6 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Morrisville, 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 136.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 282.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 21 / Roy E. Furman Highway
Turn right onto PA 21 / Roy E. Furman Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
24.6 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
192.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
193 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
9
282.5 mi into trip|~5h 45m 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
$46.02 one way
$92.03 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$50.93
$101.85
premium
$4.81
$54.63
$109.26
diesel
$4.80
$54.49
$108.99
Estimated Tolls: $17.79
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(136.3 mi)$17.72
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
$46
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.30
$13.85
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.25
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.40
$18.47
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Morrisville, PA
Afternoon
in Morrisville on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SE 1 to 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Allentown, PA
Afternoon
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
144 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
3 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
5h 54m 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 189.1
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 238.9
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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 89.6
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 29.9
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 109.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 59% of this 288.6-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 136.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll transition from highway speeds to surface roads, likely noticing more frequent exits and merges as you approach urban areas. This profile suggests a blend of efficient travel and more local driving conditions.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.1 miles in near PA 21 / Roy E. Furman Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 288.6 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 0.1 miles (PA 21 / Roy E. Furman Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.1 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
2,346 ft346 ft
Total Climb
2,176 ft
Total Descent
2,810 ft
Highest Point
2,346 ft
~82.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,999 ft
Notable High Points
1,535 ft at ~164.9 miles+532 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morrisville, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Harrisburg and Marysville.
Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, the county seat and largest city in Lehigh County, and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a population of 125,845 as of 2020.
Top landmarks
•Albertus L. Meyers Bridge — bridge in United States of America
•Allentown Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Allentown, Pennsylvania
•Allentown National Bank — bank building in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 288.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.79 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 0.1 miles (PA 21 / Roy E. Furman Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Allentown, PA before the return drive.
