Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Trip from Pleasant Hill, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
68.7 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pleasant Hill, PA
Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pleasant Hill to Bethlehem is 68.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 32 minutes via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more local perspective than a highway route. The estimated fuel cost is modest, making this an economical option for a short, direct trip between these two Pennsylvania towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from Pleasant Hill, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 45.2 mi | 54m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| North 7th Street | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Pine Grove Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Union Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Lehman Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South 16th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 45.2 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-78
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,425 veh/hr typical · worst 1,921
Quietest
2 AM
~286 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Pleasant Hill, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on South 18th Street
302 ft
·
15 sec
·
South 18th Street
2
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Chestnut Street
3
Turn left onto South 16th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 16th Street
4
Turn right onto Lehman Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lehman Street
5
Turn left onto North 7th Street
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North 7th Street
6
Continue on PA 343
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pine Grove Street
7
Turn right onto US 22; PA 343
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the ramp onto US 22
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 22
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
9
Merge onto I 78; US 22
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
78th Division Highway
10
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
17
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
19
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
20
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
21
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 32 minute duration, this is a straightforward same-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bethlehem without feeling rushed. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you can be flexible with breaks, perhaps stopping in a town along the William Penn Highway if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $11, and plan your fuel stops accordingly before you depart or if you see your gauge getting low. The longest stretch without a break is over 45 miles, so consider a brief stop before then if you prefer.
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 34.3 miles from Pleasant Hill, PA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.2 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 47m 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 16m
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 Pleasant Hill, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pleasant Hill, PA
This is one driving day of about 68.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Pleasant Hill, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 45.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Pleasant Hill, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 66.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Chestnut Street
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
9
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
66.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
$11.21 one way
$22.42 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $12.33 | $24.65 |
| premium | $4.86 | $13.15 | $26.31 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $14.61 | $29.23 |
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.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.01 | $2.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.62 | $4.40 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Origin
Pleasant Hill, PA
Morning in Pleasant Hill on Sunday
Local time
8:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Patchy Drizzle
NE 12 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
8:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Rain
E 10 mph
98% chance
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
1 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
1h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 7.1
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?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on the William Penn Highway, with a stretch of 45.2 miles on this road. Expect to navigate through towns and local areas rather than high-speed cruising. The route involves merging and exiting from local streets, particularly as you approach Bethlehem.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.1 miles in near Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.4 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Pleasant Hill, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Lvi Airport along the way.
Lvi Airport
54.4 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
Full guide →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.
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 32m. Total distance: 68.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.2 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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.
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 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.4 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bethlehem, PA
More trips to Bethlehem, PA
Explore more options from Pleasant Hill, PA or browse trips ending in Bethlehem, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.