Origin
Riverside, PA
Afternoon in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverside, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
221.1 mi
356 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Riverside, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Riverside to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, covers 221.1 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes. This drive is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of around $37. You'll primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a practical option for a day excursion within the Northeast region. Given its manageable duration, this trip allows for flexibility in departure and arrival times.
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
110.6 miles from Riverside, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 81 mi | 1h 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 42.8 mi | 50m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 22.5 mi | 27m |
| Quaker Valley Road | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| I 81 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| 78th Division Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Southview Avenue
58 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southview Avenue
2
Turn sharp left onto Eisenhower Boulevard
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Eisenhower Boulevard
3
Turn right onto PA 56
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Scalp Avenue
4
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
5
Continue on PA 56
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
10
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
18
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
22
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi
·
22 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 89
Toward I 78 East: Allentown
26
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
78th Division Highway
27
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi
·
50 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
34
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
35
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
36
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
37
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
38
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 37-minute drive, starting early can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Bethlehem. With a total distance of 221.1 miles, you might consider one planned stop to break up the journey and refuel. Given the longest uninterrupted stretch is 81 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, plan your stops accordingly before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $37, it's always wise to top up when opportunities arise, particularly before longer highway stretches.
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 110.6 miles from Riverside, PA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 49 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 18m 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 45m
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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, PA
This is one driving day of about 221.1 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Riverside, 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 81 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.6 miles from Riverside, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 116.4 and 217.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
7
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
9
206.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m 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
217.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
217.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
$36.66 one way
$73.31 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $40.15 | $80.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $42.88 | $85.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.82 | $97.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.25
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)
$10.53
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
$37
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.22 | $10.61 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.35 | $8.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.95 | $14.15 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Afternoon in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
1% 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
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
33 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
4h 37m 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 presents a mixed driving profile, with 43% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter an 81-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a chance for consistent speed. Beyond the turnpike, the drive transitions to roads like the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway, likely involving more local traffic and varied speed limits. The character of the drive changes as you move from faster highway sections to potentially more varied local road conditions, requiring attention to changing road types.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.4 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 28 significant decision points across 221.1 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 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Riverside, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Pittsburgh
33.7 mi in
|
~51m
Harrisburg
33.7 mi in
|
~51m
Patp: Pittsburgh
34.8 mi in
|
~54m
Marysville
131.6 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Lvi Airport
206.9 mi in
|
~4h 15m
|
via US 22
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.25 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.9 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bethlehem, 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, 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bethlehem, PA
More from Riverside, PA
More trips to Bethlehem, PA
Explore more options from Riverside, PA or browse trips ending in Bethlehem, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.