New Wilmington, PA to Allentown, PA is 302.1 miles and takes about 5h 47m via the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. It’s a solid choice for a single-day trip, especially if you prefer seeing more of the towns along the way rather than just highway miles.
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
151 miles from New Wilmington, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
208.4 mi
3h 43m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Mercer-New Wilmington Road
6.3 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 208.4 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,071 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,407
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 New Wilmington, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on this road
25 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto PA 208
90 ft·7 sec·East Neshannock Avenue
3
Turn right onto PA 158
0.3 mi·1 min·North Market Street
4
Continue on PA 158
6.3 mi·8 min·Mercer-New Wilmington Road
5
Turn right onto Steingrabe Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Steingrabe Road
6
Turn right onto US 19
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Erie Street
7
Continue on US 19
0.2 mi·24 sec·Perry Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
9
Merge onto I 80
208 mi·3 hr 43 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
11
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
12
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
14
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
17
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
18
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
19
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
20
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
21
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
22
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
23
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
24
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
25
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
26
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
29
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 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 5 hour and 47 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from New Wilmington to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning one stop around the halfway mark can break up the 302.1 miles nicely. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading onto longer stretches of the Keystone Shortway where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $49, so budget accordingly.
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 151 miles from New Wilmington, PA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208.4 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 66 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151 miles or 2h 45m 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 33m
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 New Wilmington, 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 New Wilmington, PA
This is one driving day of about 302.1 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from New Wilmington, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 208.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 296.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East: Clarion
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
5
216.8 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
5
217 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
296 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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...
6
296.9 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward Cetronia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cetronia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.17 one way
$96.34 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$53.31
$106.62
premium
$4.81
$57.18
$114.37
diesel
$4.80
$57.04
$114.08
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
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
$48
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
Efficient EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
EV Truck/SUV
120.8
1
$42.29
$19.33
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
New Wilmington, PA
Evening
in New Wilmington on Sunday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 1 mph0% 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
Evening
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
6:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Patchy Smoke
0 mph0% 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
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 47m 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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 260.4
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 40% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway, the Keystone Shortway, covers 208.4 miles. You'll notice the transition from limited-access highways to more frequent intersections and local traffic as you progress. Expect a mixed driving experience with periods of open cruising and moments of navigating through towns.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 208.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 8.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 302.1 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 8.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 216.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,749 ft346 ft
Total Climb
1,548 ft
Total Descent
2,246 ft
Highest Point
1,749 ft
~107.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,403 ft
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 Wilmington, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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 47m. Total distance: 302.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 208.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 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 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 216.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
