Origin
Philipsburg, PA
Afternoon in Philipsburg on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philipsburg, PA to Allentown, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
184.4 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philipsburg, PA
Michael Taccetta
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 184.4-mile drive from Philipsburg, PA to Allentown, PA, is a feasible one-day trip, taking an estimated 3 hours and 44 minutes. With a fuel cost around $31, it's an economical option for exploring Pennsylvania. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway, with a small portion on I-99, featuring a 15% highway share. This journey offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion within the Northeast region of the state. You'll find it to be a manageable distance for a day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.2 miles from Philipsburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 63.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| I 99 | 16.3 mi | 19m |
| 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 |
| 28th Division Highway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philipsburg, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on PA 53; Historic US 322
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Presqueisle Street
2
Turn right onto US 322
522 ft
·
12 sec
·
Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
3
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
4
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Upper Flat Rock Road
5
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Flat Rock Road
6
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
9
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 80; US 220
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
12
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
13
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
15
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
16
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
18
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
19
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
22
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
23
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
24
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
25
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
26
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
27
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
30
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Cetronia
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 44 minute duration, starting your journey from Philipsburg in the morning allows ample time to reach Allentown without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short overall distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 63.4-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $31 estimated fuel cost is a good budget to plan around for this trip.
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 92.2 miles from Philipsburg, PA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.2 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
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 Philipsburg, 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 Philipsburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 184.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Philipsburg, 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 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.2 miles from Philipsburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.
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 19.1 and 179.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
23.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
35.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
9
178.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m 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
179.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
$30.57 one way
$61.14 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $33.48 | $66.96 |
| premium | $4.93 | $35.76 | $71.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.71 | $81.43 |
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
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Allentown, PA
Afternoon in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
8 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
3h 44m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 139.9
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a route that's more about navigating local roads than cruising on interstates, with only 15% of the drive on highways. The majority of your travel will be on the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway, which often involves more turns and varied speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a bit of consistent driving before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This road profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the steering wheel.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 19.1 miles in near I 99; US 220; US 322.
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 15 significant decision points across 184.4 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 19.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: 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.
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 Philipsburg, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
99.1 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 184.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 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.
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 19.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Allentown, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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