Origin
New Philadelphia, PA
Night in New Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Philadelphia, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
58.3 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
New Philadelphia, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 58.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 19 minutes via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward drive between two points in the state. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making it a practical choice for a quick transfer or a leisurely afternoon excursion. With only one recommended day, this route is well-suited for a same-day trip, allowing ample time for your destination.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Route 61 South | 3 mi | 3m |
| Centre Street | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Market Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Weigand Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 21.6 mi, about 26m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,473 veh/hr typical · worst 1,984
Quietest
2 AM
~289 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 New Philadelphia, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Water Street
120 ft
·
9 sec
·
Water Street
2
Turn left onto US 209
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Valley Street
3
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
4
Continue on US 209
415 ft
·
14 sec
·
Pike Street
5
Turn left onto US 209
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Coal Street
6
Turn right onto US 209
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Weigand Boulevard
7
Continue on US 209
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
8
Turn left onto PA 61
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
9
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
10
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
14
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
23
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
24
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
25
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from New Philadelphia, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 56.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 209 / Coal Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Coal Street
Navigation decision point
9
44.1 mi into trip
|
~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...
7
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
56.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
$9.74 one way
$19.48 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $10.72 | $21.44 |
| premium | $5.01 | $11.50 | $23.01 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $12.85 | $25.70 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.12 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Bethlehem, PA
Night in Bethlehem on Tuesday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Hamburg, PA
29 mi in
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
1h 19m 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?
This drive is mostly on surface roads, with only about 5% on highways. You'll cover 58.3 miles in total, with the longest continuous stretch on William Penn Highway measuring 21.6 miles. Expect to navigate through towns and local areas for the majority of the trip, transitioning from Center Avenue to the Lehigh Valley Thruway. The prevalence of surface roads means you'll likely encounter more local traffic and variable speed limits.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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?
9/10
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 3.7 miles in near US 209 / Coal Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (US 209 / Coal Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
749 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
452 ft
Total Descent
788 ft
Highest Point
749 ft
~33.3 mi in
Elevation Range
393 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.
On the drive from New Philadelphia, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Lvi Airport along the way.
Lvi Airport
44.1 mi in
|
~58m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in New Philadelphia, PA
Full guide →Founded 1840
Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →Founded 1741
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.
Top landmarks
- • Bethlehem Waterworks — pump-powered public water supply
- • Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District — complex of the oldest surviving buildings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- • Cathedral Church of the Nativity — church in Pennsylvania, United States
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 1h 19m. Total distance: 58.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (US 209 / Coal Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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