Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 19m

Distance

276.4 mi

445 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

10 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 6m ★

6 AM

5h 20m

8 AM

5h 47m

10 AM

5h 29m

12 PM

5h 27m

3 PM

5h 31m

5 PM

5h 45m

8 PM

5h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 276.4-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA, to Bethlehem, PA, is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Mid-County Expressway, with about 31% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $46. This route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to travel between these two points within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain a good pace.

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

138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	156.6 mi	2h 50m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension	75 mi	1h 21m
Mid-County Expressway	10.8 mi	14m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway	9.8 mi	11m
Curwensville Grampian Road	4.7 mi	5m
Clearfield Shawville Highway	4.3 mi	6m
South Lansdowne Avenue	3 mi	8m
Curwensville Grampian Highway	2.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 156.6 mi, about 2h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Bethlehem, PA.

Start on West Providence Road

0.3 mi · 46 sec · West Providence Road

Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue

3.0 mi · 8 min · South Lansdowne Avenue

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on Darby Road

471 ft · 13 sec · Darby Road

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn slight left onto PA 3

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Chester Pike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 476

11 mi · 14 min · Mid-County Expressway

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway

Continue on I 476; PATP

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Merge onto I 80

157 mi · 2 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville

Turn left onto PA 879

4.3 mi · 6 min · Clearfield Shawville Highway

Turn left onto PA 879

2.0 mi · 2 min · Clearfield Curwensville Highway

Continue on PA 879

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Curwensville Grampain Highway

Continue on PA 879

2.6 mi · 2 min · Curwensville Grampian Highway

Continue on PA 879

4.7 mi · 5 min · Curwensville Grampian Road

Continue on PA 879

0.7 mi · 47 sec · 1st Street

Continue on US 219

9.8 mi · 11 min · Mahaffey Grampian Highway

Continue on US 219

0.2 mi · 13 sec · West Main Street

Turn left onto PA 36

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Market Street

Turn right onto PA 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto Bethlehem Hill Road

0.8 mi · 3 min · Bethlehem Hill Road

Arrive at destination

Deer Run Road

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour-plus duration and 276.4-mile distance, starting your trip in Upper Darby early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While this route is manageable in a single day with one recommended stop, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 156.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations.

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 138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.6 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 61 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.2 miles or 2h 42m 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 19m

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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, PA

This is one driving day of about 276.4 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Upper Darby, 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 156.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Catawissa, PA

138 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.

Popular next leg

Catawissa, PA to Bethlehem, PA

85.4 mi · 2h 2m

Pacing Suggestions

Allentown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hazleton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Satellite Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12672772623

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 138.2

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 79

Lehighton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 79

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

+18885577099

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 79

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 79

1.9 mi from route

Elmwood Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 19.7

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16102773825

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 249.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Lansdowne Avenue

Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

5.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

91.8 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

92.6 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Hazleton

249.5 mi into trip | ~4h 44m in

Take the exit toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.82 one way

$91.65 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$50.19	$100.37
premium	$4.93	$53.60	$107.21
diesel	$5.61	$61.03	$122.05

Estimated Tolls: $9.75

Pennsylvania Turnpike (75 mi) $9.75

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

$46

Tolls

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Philadelphia, PA

Tesla

20 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Essington, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Springfield Ford

Springfield, PA

RED_E

6 DCFC

Urban Edge Broomall Commons (Broomall, PA)

Broomall, PA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Wawa Folcroft

Folcroft, PA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Cedar Realty Quartermaster Plaza (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia, PA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ACME Penn Valley #0613

Penn Valley, PA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Robin Ford

Glenolden, PA

Blink Network

2 DCFC

eVgo Network: 3 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 2 RED_E: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	82.9	1	$29.02	$13.27
Efficient EV	69.1	0	$24.18	$11.06
EV Truck/SUV	110.6	1	$38.70	$17.69

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 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 18, 2026

Origin

Upper Darby, PA

Morning in Upper Darby on Sunday

Local time

6:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethlehem, PA

Morning in Bethlehem on Sunday

Local time

6:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

12 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 19m 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.

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $1

Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure

View on nps.gov

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

7 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 9.5

View on nps.gov

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a varied driving experience on this route, featuring a significant 31% on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 156.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, which will likely feel like a substantial portion of your drive. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway also contribute to the highway segments. This blend of high-speed roads and other thoroughfares creates a dynamic 'mixed drive' profile, keeping you engaged without being overly demanding. The road character shifts as you progress, offering different driving conditions throughout the 5-hour-plus journey.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 156.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 0.3 miles in near South Lansdowne Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 276.4 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 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 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 Upper Darby, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Shawville.

Mount Pocono

91.8 mi in | ~1h 50m

Shawville

249.5 mi in | ~4h 44m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 276.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 156.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $9.75 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Upper Darby, PA or browse trips ending in Bethlehem, PA.

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Trip from Upper Darby, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Satellite Cafe

Satellite Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Centre County Rest Area Westbound

Montour County Rest Area Westbound

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound

Centre County Rest Area Eastbound

Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound

Onvo Travel Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Allentown Service Plaza

Hickory Run Service Plaza

Hickory Run Truck Plaza

Clinton County Rest Area Westbound

Montour County Rest Area Eastbound

Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound

Columbia County Rest Area Westbound

TA

TA

Onvo Travel Plaza

Blue Ridge Travel Plaza

Elmwood Park Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Upper Darby, PA

Bethlehem, PA

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 19m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Independence National Historical Park

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Valley Forge National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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