Trip from Penn, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 16m

Distance

267.7 mi

431 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 3m ★

6 AM

5h 17m

8 AM

5h 44m

10 AM

5h 26m

12 PM

5h 24m

3 PM

5h 28m

5 PM

5h 42m

8 PM

5h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Penn, PA

George Becker

city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on this 267.7-mile journey from Penn, PA, to Bethlehem, PA, will take approximately 5 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, this drive is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward transit through Pennsylvania's Northeast region. You'll spend about 64% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 159.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This trip offers a practical way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stop.

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

133.8 miles from Penn, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	159.4 mi	2h 55m
William Penn Highway	42.8 mi	50m
American Legion Memorial Highway	22.5 mi	27m
I 81	12.7 mi	15m
Lehigh Valley Thruway	10.3 mi	14m
78th Division Highway	7.6 mi	8m
Bethlehem Spur Route	1.8 mi	2m
Penn Adamsburg Road	1.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 159.4 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Penn, PA and Bethlehem, PA.

Start on North Railroad Street

179 ft · 9 sec · North Railroad Street

Turn right onto Harrison Avenue

326 ft · 16 sec · Harrison Avenue

Turn right onto Locust Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Locust Street

At end of road, turn right onto 11th Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 11th Street

At end of road, turn right onto Coal Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Coal Street

Turn left onto South Youghogheny Street

320 ft · 8 sec · South Youghogheny Street

Continue on Penn Adamsburg Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Penn Adamsburg Road

Continue on Edna Road

496 ft · 13 sec · Edna Road

Take the ramp

370 ft · 10 sec

Merge onto US 30

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Lincoln Highway

Take the exit

275 ft · 10 sec

Turn left onto Wendel Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Wendel Road

Turn left onto I 76; PATP

159 mi · 2 hr 55 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 81

13 mi · 15 min · I 81

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

19 mi · 22 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 89 Toward I 78 East: Allentown

Continue on I 78

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway

Continue on I 78; US 22

43 mi · 50 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight lane.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on PA 378

1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Exit 2 Toward Eighth Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 8th Avenue

Turn left onto West Union Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard

Turn left onto Center Street

423 ft · 11 sec · Center Street

Turn right onto East Goepp Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Goepp Street

Turn right onto Linden Street

57 ft · 1 sec · Linden Street

Arrive at destination

Linden Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour, 16-minute drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Penn, PA, will allow you to reach Bethlehem, PA, with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 159.4-mile stretch on the Turnpike, to avoid any unexpected delays. This drive is well-suited for a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.

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 133.8 miles from Penn, PA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.4 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.8 miles or 2h 32m 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 15m

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 Penn, 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 Penn, PA

This is one driving day of about 267.7 miles and 5h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Penn, 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 159.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

134 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

Cumberland, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Smithsburg, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.8 miles from Penn, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.4 miles.

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.

Best meal stop

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

The Nest Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

1.2 mi

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

1.2 mi

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

The Nest Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $40 to $50

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17245279880

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 163 and 263.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

163 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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

163.9 mi into trip | ~3h 6m 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

253.4 mi into trip | ~4h 55m 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...

263.7 mi into trip | ~5h 9m 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...

263.9 mi into trip | ~5h 10m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.38 one way

$88.76 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$48.61	$97.22
premium	$4.93	$51.92	$103.83
diesel	$5.61	$59.10	$118.21

Estimated Tolls: $21.45

Pennsylvania Turnpike (159.4 mi) $20.73

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

$44

Tolls

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$91–$116

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	80.3	0	$28.11	$12.85
Efficient EV	66.9	0	$23.42	$10.71
EV Truck/SUV	107.1	1	$37.48	$17.13

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Penn, PA

Late night in Penn on Tuesday

Local time

5:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 16 mph 24% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Bethlehem, PA

Late night in Bethlehem on Tuesday

Local time

5:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Hancock, MD

134 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

22 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 16m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route leans heavily towards highway driving, with 64% of the journey taking place on main roads. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a substantial 159.4-mile segment without a break. While the Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway provide efficient travel, the inclusion of American Legion Memorial Highway suggests a potential shift to more varied road types as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of steady progress, designed for covering distance efficiently.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 159.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 163 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 29 significant decision points across 267.7 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 163 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.4 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Penn, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg, Marysville and Lvi Airport.

Harrisburg

163 mi in | ~3h 4m

Marysville

178.2 mi in | ~3h 25m

Lvi Airport

253.4 mi in | ~4h 55m | via US 22

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 267.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 159.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $21.45 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.

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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethlehem, PA before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Penn, PA or browse trips ending in Bethlehem, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Trip from Penn, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Persichetti's Restaurant

Persichetti's Restaurant

The Nest Restaurant

Nino's Restaurant

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

The Village

Spice Restaurant & Bar

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

South Midway Service Plaza

North Midway Service Plaza

Blue Mountain Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Flying J Travel Center

New Stanton Service Plaza

North Somerset Service Plaza

South Somerset Service Plaza

Sideling Hill Service Plaza

Cumberland Valley Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Love's Travel Stop

ONE9 Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Allentown Service Plaza

Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Penn, PA

Bethlehem, PA

Same local time

22 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 16m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Bethlehem, PA

More from Penn, PA

More trips to Bethlehem, PA