Traveling from Tunkhannock to Allentown covers 86.3 miles through the heart of Northeast Pennsylvania. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes, making this a very manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your journey will primarily utilize the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Memorial Highway, and Tunkhannock Highway. Budget about $14 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since both cities are located within the same region, the transition between them is straightforward and familiar. This route is an ideal choice if you want to move between these two areas efficiently without the need for complex planning or multiple stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Tunkhannock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
12
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 22 East: Allentown
13
Merge onto US 22
0.3 mi·27 sec·Lehigh Valley Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward PA 309 South: QuakertownUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto PA 309
0.5 mi·43 sec·PA 309
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Tilghman Street EastUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
3.6 mi·5 min·Tilghman Street
18
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the entire drive takes under two hours, you can easily complete it in a single push without needing to schedule formal stops for fatigue. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $14, so topping off your tank before you leave Tunkhannock ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station while on the highway. Pay close attention to traffic patterns when transitioning from the local highways onto the Turnpike, as this is where your pace will pick up significantly. If you are traveling during peak hours, factor in a little extra cushion time to account for potential congestion on the Northeast Extension.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.1 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.8 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 19 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 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 Tunkhannock, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tunkhannock, PA
This is one driving day of about 86.3 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Tunkhannock, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 47.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.2 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
32.2 mi into trip|~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PATP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PATP
5
32.3 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
6
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
6
82.5 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Tilghman Street East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Tilghman Street East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.31 one way
$28.61 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.67
$31.34
premium
$4.93
$16.74
$33.47
diesel
$5.61
$19.05
$38.11
Estimated Tolls: $6.22
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(47.8 mi)$6.22
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
$14
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.06
$4.14
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.55
$3.45
EV Truck/SUV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Tunkhannock, PA
Morning
in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning
in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive 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
67°F
Hudson, PA
43 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
46 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
1h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 61% of this route is spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 47.8 miles. While the drive begins on local roads like Tunkhannock Highway and Memorial Highway, the character shifts quickly to a more direct, high-speed transit mode. You won't face much technical complexity here, as the roads are designed for efficiency rather than winding challenges. It is a consistent, practical drive that prioritizes reaching your destination quickly over varied road surfaces.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Tunkhannock Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Tunkhannock, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Harrisburg.
Patp
31.8 mi in|~53m
Harrisburg
80.6 mi in|~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 86.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.22 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Allentown, PA before heading back.
