Connecting South Strabane to Allentown, this 286-mile journey across Pennsylvania typically takes about 5 hours and 43 minutes. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You will primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the William Penn Highway, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Budget roughly $47 for fuel to complete the transit across the state. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend, this route offers a straightforward path through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. It serves as a reliable link for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two points.
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
143 miles from South Strabane, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
152 mi
2h 47m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
32.4 mi
44m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
PA 519
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 152 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Strabane, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on Strabane Drive
30 ft·7 sec·Strabane Drive
2
Turn left onto Anderson Drive
0.1 mi·39 sec·Anderson Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 40
1.6 mi·2 min·East National Pike
4
Turn left onto PA 519
2.1 mi·3 min·PA 519
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 70
32 mi·44 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 70
0.5 mi·1 min·I 70
Exit 58Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
14
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
18
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
22
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
23
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a lengthy 286-mile trek, planning at least one dedicated stop is essential to keep your energy levels up. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic flow, especially as you navigate the transition between different highway systems. Given that fuel costs will hover around $47, check your tank before merging onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike to avoid unnecessary stops during your longest 152-mile stretch. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the single-day duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. Keep a close eye on the highway signage, as navigating between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the William Penn Highway requires careful attention to interchanges.
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 143 miles from South Strabane, PA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143 miles or 2h 50m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allentown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Strabane, 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 South Strabane, PA
This is one driving day of about 286 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from South Strabane, 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 152 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.6 and 279.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
36.6 mi into trip|~52m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
37 mi into trip|~53m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
189.4 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
190.3 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.42 one way
$94.83 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$51.93
$103.86
premium
$4.93
$55.47
$110.93
diesel
$5.61
$63.15
$126.29
Estimated Tolls: $19.83
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(152 mi)$19.76
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1 mi)$0.07
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
$47
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.03
$13.73
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.04
$18.30
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
South Strabane, PA
Morning
in South Strabane on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
143 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
4 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 43m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 187.4
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 236.7
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 78.9
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 98.6
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 49.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances high-speed transit with local navigation. Approximately 59% of your trip will be spent on highways, providing a steady rhythm for the majority of the drive. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 152 miles while cruising along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which allows for consistent progress. As you transition between the various highways, the road’s personality shifts from major arterial routes to local segments. This variation keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind, offering a practical blend of highway efficiency and surface road transit.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 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 36.6 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 286 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 36.6 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.4 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.
Between South Strabane, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Marysville.
Patp: Harrisburg
36.6 mi in|~52m|via I 70
Pittsburgh
36.6 mi in|~52m|via I 70
Harrisburg
189.4 mi in|~3h 42m
Marysville
204.6 mi in|~4h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 286 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.83 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 Allentown, 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 36.6 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 189.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Allentown, PA before the return drive.
