Spanning 84.5 miles, this drive from Palmerton to Bensalem connects two distinct spots in Northeast Pennsylvania. Expect a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major connectors, including Delaware Avenue, Interchange Road, and I-476. With a fuel budget of about $14, the trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this route offers a straightforward path between the regions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.2 miles from Palmerton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Exit 352Toward PA 132: Street RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto PA 132
1.7 mi·2 min·Street Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right onto Knights Road
261 ft·8 sec·Knights Road
14
Turn right
135 ft·9 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 25-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route is turn-heavy and local-focused, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to ensure you maintain a consistent pace. You won't need to plan for formal stops given the manageable distance, but having your $14 fuel budget ready before you depart will keep your trip logistics simple. Focus on staying alert through the frequent turns on Interchange Road, as the lack of highway miles means you will be navigating intersections more often than on a typical interstate haul. Enjoy the ease of a quick transit that gets you to your destination in under two hours.
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 42.2 miles from Palmerton, PA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bensalem, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palmerton, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palmerton, PA
This is one driving day of about 84.4 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Palmerton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 55.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 82.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in|US 209 / Interchange Road
Turn right onto US 209 / Interchange Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
7.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
6
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
7
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward PA 132: Street Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 352
Toward PA 132: Street Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.32
$30.65
premium
$4.93
$16.37
$32.74
diesel
$5.61
$18.63
$37.27
Estimated Tolls: $9.57
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(73.6 mi)$9.57
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
$14
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.3
0
$8.86
$4.05
Efficient EV
21.1
0
$7.39
$3.38
EV Truck/SUV
33.8
0
$11.82
$5.40
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Palmerton, PA
Morning
in Palmerton on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bensalem, PA
Morning
in Bensalem on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 61.1
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 66.9
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this 84.5-mile journey relies heavily on local thoroughfares rather than long highway stretches, resulting in a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of varied turns as you transition between Interchange Road and local arteries. Because the route lacks long, uninterrupted highway legs, you should anticipate a more active driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road's layout. It is a practical, hands-on transit that requires navigating regional road networks rather than simply cruising on an open expressway.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near US 209 / Interchange Road.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.2 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Palmerton, PA to Bensalem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Patp
7.8 mi in|~11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 84.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.57 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.
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 Bensalem, 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 6.2 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). 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 Bensalem, PA before heading back.
