Trip from Robinson, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Robinson, PA
Franssy Acosta
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 |
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
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.
Start on PA 259
Take the ramp
Turn right onto US 22
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 403
Continue on PA 403
Turn left onto Iron Street
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
Continue on Scalp Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
Continue on Scalp Avenue
Continue on PA 56
Continue on PA 56
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 11
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 81
Continue on I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Continue on I 78
Continue on I 78; US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on PA 378
Take the exit
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
Turn left onto Center Street
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
Turn right onto Linden Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
Petro Stopping Centers
Flying J Travel Center
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
Sheetz
Love's Travel Stop
Allentown Service Plaza
Lehigh Millennium Folk Arch and Art Enclave
Near the end, short 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 365 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.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.73 one way
$77.46 round trip
| 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
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.
Origin
Robinson, PA
Morning in Robinson on Monday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.
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
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
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 Robinson, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Pittsburgh
Harrisburg
Patp: Pittsburgh
Marysville
Lvi Airport
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
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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