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Trip from Robinson, PA to Bethlehem, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 13m

Distance

242.9 mi

391 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 0m ★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m

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

Downtown Robinson, PA, PA

Robinson, PA

Franssy Acosta

city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Robinson, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 242.9 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing Pennsylvania for its entirety. Expect a route that involves frequent turns, characteristic of local driving, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With a highway share of 39%, you'll experience a good mix of faster roads and more winding local paths. It's a manageable one-day drive, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively short trip.

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

121.5 miles from Robinson, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 81 mi 1h 29m
William Penn Highway 47.7 mi 57m
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
Cramer Pike 7.9 mi 13m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 81 mi, about 1h 29m

Traffic on I-81

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,785 veh/hr typical

Quietest

1 AM

~380 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.3×

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 Robinson, PA and Bethlehem, PA.

1

Start on PA 259

4.0 mi · 6 min · Robinson Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
3

Turn right onto US 22

4.9 mi · 6 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
5

Turn right onto PA 403

7.9 mi · 13 min · Cramer Pike
6

Continue on PA 403

1.2 mi · 2 min · Cooper Avenue
7

Turn left onto Iron Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Iron Street
8

Turn right onto 4th Avenue

0.3 mi · 43 sec · 4th Avenue
9

At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Broad Street
10

Continue on PA 56; PA 403

0.7 mi · 1 min · Roosevelt Boulevard
11

Continue on PA 56; PA 403

2.1 mi · 3 min · Johns Street
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
13

At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Bedford Street
14

Continue on Scalp Avenue

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Scalp Avenue
15

Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue

145 ft · 2 sec · Scalp Avenue
16

Continue on Scalp Avenue

3.7 mi · 6 min · Scalp Avenue
17

Continue on PA 56

11 mi · 14 min · Clear Shade Drive
18

Continue on PA 56

14 mi · 20 min · Quaker Valley Road
19

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
20

Merge onto I 99; US 220

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 99; US 220
21

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
22

Keep slight right at fork

284 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
23

Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Business 220
24

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
26

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

81 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
27

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on US 11

1.1 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
31

Merge onto I 81

13 mi · 15 min · I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
34

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
35

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
37

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

19 mi · 22 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec
Exit 89 Toward I 78 East: Allentown
39

Continue on I 78

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway
40

Continue on I 78; US 22

43 mi · 50 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
41

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.
42

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road Use the slight right lane.
43

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Continue on PA 378

1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
45

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 2 Toward Eighth Avenue Use the slight right lane.
46

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 8th Avenue
47

Turn left onto West Union Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard
48

Turn left onto Center Street

423 ft · 11 sec · Center Street
49

Turn right onto East Goepp Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Goepp Street
50

Turn right onto Linden Street

57 ft · 1 sec · Linden Street
51

Arrive at destination

Linden Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5h 13m estimated duration and 242.9 miles, this is comfortably a one-day trip, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic near your starting point and to allow for a leisurely pace. The route has one recommended stop, so plan to break up your drive about halfway through. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to navigation, especially as you move onto the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $40 for fuel is a good estimate for this journey.

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 121.5 miles from Robinson, PA, or about 2h 41m 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 53 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 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 Robinson, 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 Robinson, PA

This is one driving day of about 242.9 miles and 5h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Robinson, 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.

borough of Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Martinsburg, PA

121 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

King, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chambersburg, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.5 miles from Robinson, 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 81 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.

South Midway Service Plaza

0 mi from route

North Midway Service Plaza

0 mi from route

Blue Mountain Service Plaza

0 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Sideling Hill Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Cumberland Valley Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

ONE9 Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.4 mi from route

TA

0.6 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.6 mi from route

Rest Area

0.8 mi from route

Sheetz

1.4 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1.5 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 website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 36

5 decision points cluster between mile 138.2 and 239.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
138.2 mi into trip | ~3h 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
139.1 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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
228.7 mi into trip | ~4h 51m 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
238.9 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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
239.1 mi into trip | ~5h 6m 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

$38.73 one way

$77.46 round trip

$4.05/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $42.86 $85.72
premium $4.81 $45.98 $91.96
diesel $4.80 $45.86 $91.73

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

$39

Tolls

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.9 0 $25.50 $11.66
Efficient EV 60.7 0 $21.25 $9.72
EV Truck/SUV 97.2 1 $34.01 $15.55

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

28 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Robinson, PA

Morning in Robinson on Monday

Local time

6:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 6 to 12 mph 75% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:21AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Destination

Bethlehem, PA

Morning in Bethlehem on Monday

Local time

6:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Smoke

SW 0 to 15 mph 90% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:21AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:54AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

82°F

Martinsburg, PA

121 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

2 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 13m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 184.3
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

National Monument

More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 134
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 25.1
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...

13 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 33.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 39% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a dynamic driving experience, shifting between quicker segments and more involved local roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 81 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a period of faster travel before you transition back to more intricate roadways. Be prepared for a driving personality that demands attention, with a need to adjust speed and direction frequently as you progress.

Only 39% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 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

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 138.2 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 36 significant decision points across 242.9 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 138.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.7 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,446 ft 346 ft

Total Climb

1,671 ft

Total Descent

2,410 ft

Highest Point

2,446 ft

~34.7 mi in

Elevation Range

2,100 ft

Notable High Points

2,446 ft at ~34.7 miles +1,286 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Robinson, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.

Pittsburgh

55.5 mi in | ~1h 27m

Harrisburg

55.5 mi in | ~1h 27m

Patp: Pittsburgh

56.7 mi in | ~1h 30m

Marysville

153.4 mi in | ~3h 21m

Lvi Airport

228.7 mi in | ~4h 51m | via US 22

About the Cities

Arriving in Bethlehem, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1741

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.

Top landmarks

  • Bethlehem Waterworks — pump-powered public water supply
  • Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District — complex of the oldest surviving buildings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  • Cathedral Church of the Nativity — church in Pennsylvania, United States

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 5h 13m. Total distance: 242.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

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.

Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 138.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228.7 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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