Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Russell, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 8m
Distance
284.6 mi
458 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 56m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 34m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 15m
3 PM
6h 19m
5 PM
6h 33m
8 PM
6h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell, PA
FurtherMore Studio
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Russell, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 284.6 miles and takes about 6h 8m via Keystone Shortway and PA 948, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region on its way to the eastern part of the state. Expect a drive that largely sticks to surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward transit between these two points without needing an overnight stop.
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
142.3 miles from Russell, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 112.7 mi | 2h 1m |
| PA 948 | 23.8 mi | 35m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| Boot Jack Road | 11.2 mi | 16m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.7 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical · worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Russell, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
54 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Street
3
Turn slight right onto Liberty Street
175 ft
·
13 sec
·
Liberty Street
4
Turn left onto US 62
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Market Street
5
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Hickory Street
7
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hickory Bridge
8
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
13
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
15
Take the exit
265 ft
·
9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
16
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Street
17
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 948
18
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 66
19
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi
·
22 min
·
PA 948
20
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
21
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Boot Jack Road
22
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Penfield Road
23
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Hoovertown Road
24
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi
·
14 min
·
State Park Road
25
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
113 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
28
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
29
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
31
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
32
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
34
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
35
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
36
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
37
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
38
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
39
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
40
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
41
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
42
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
43
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
45
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
46
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
47
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.
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
49
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
52
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
53
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
54
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
55
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
56
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
57
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bethlehem without feeling rushed. The route has one recommended stop, so plan to pull over about halfway through to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Given the 284.6-mile distance and the profile of mostly surface roads, it's a manageable one-day trip. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition to surface roads where stations might be less frequent. The longest stretch without a major road change is 112.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so make sure you're set before starting that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.3 miles from Russell, PA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.7 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 63 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.3 miles or 3h 13m 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 59m
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 Russell, 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 Russell, PA
This is one driving day of about 284.6 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Russell, 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 112.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.3 miles from Russell, 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 112.7 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.
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 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 websiteAllegheny National Forest
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Marienville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18149275700
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 315 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 282.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
Crescent Park
Turn left onto Crescent Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
270.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m 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
280.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
280.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m 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
282.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m 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
$47.55 one way
$95.11 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $52.34 | $104.67 |
| premium | $5.01 | $56.16 | $112.32 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $62.74 | $125.47 |
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
$48
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.88 | $13.66 |
| Efficient EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.90 | $11.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.84 | $18.21 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Russell, PA
Late night in Russell on Wednesday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Areas Of Fog
E 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued August 21 at 1:50AM EDT until August 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued August 21 at 1:04AM EDT until August 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Late night in Bethlehem on Wednesday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 0 to 5 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued August 21 at 1:50AM EDT until August 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued August 21 at 1:04AM EDT until August 21 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
9 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
6h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 235.5
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 route is mostly surface roads, with only 13% of the drive on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on local roads, with a significant 112.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to PA 948 and the William Penn Highway. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move away from limited-access roads. This means you'll notice a change in driving environment as you get closer to towns and cities.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 7.6 miles in near Crescent Park.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 31 significant decision points across 284.6 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 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.4 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,914 ft
356 ft
Total Climb
2,646 ft
Total Descent
3,539 ft
Highest Point
1,914 ft
~43 mi in
Elevation Range
1,558 ft
Notable High Points
1,480 ft at ~172.2 miles
+728 ft prominence
1,377 ft at ~236.7 miles
+731 ft prominence
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 Russell, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Lvi Airport.
Washingtonville
191.2 mi in
|
~4h 6m
Lvi Airport
270.4 mi in
|
~5h 47m
|
via US 22
About the Cities
Starting in Russell, PA
Full guide →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 6h 8m. Total distance: 284.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.4 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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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