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Trip from Woodland Heights, PA to Allentown, 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 25m

Distance

271.4 mi

437 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 12m ★
6 AM
5h 25m
8 AM
5h 52m
10 AM
5h 35m
12 PM
5h 32m
3 PM
5h 36m
5 PM
5h 51m
8 PM
5h 17m

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

Downtown Woodland Heights, PA, PA

Woodland Heights, PA

Marta Wave

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Woodland Heights, Pennsylvania, to Allentown, Pennsylvania, covers 271.4 miles and is estimated to take 5 hours and 25 minutes of driving. This journey, entirely within the Northeast region of PA, is best suited for a single day, with a projected fuel cost of $45. The route utilizes a combination of the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and US Highway 322, offering a varied driving experience. Consider this your practical guide to navigating this stretch of Pennsylvania.

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

135.7 miles from Woodland Heights, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 153.1 mi 2h 44m
William Penn Highway 21.6 mi 26m
US Highway 322 12.4 mi 17m
State Route 54 11.1 mi 13m
Center Avenue 10.6 mi 12m
Elysburg Road 9.7 mi 11m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Main Street 6.1 mi 9m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 153.1 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Woodland Heights, PA and Allentown, PA.

1

Start on Innis Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Innis Street
2

Turn straight onto PA 257

4.1 mi · 7 min · Pennsylvania Highway 257
3

Turn left onto US 322

2.5 mi · 3 min · Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
4

Continue on US 322

12 mi · 17 min · US Highway 322
5

Continue on US 322

5.1 mi · 7 min · Main Street
6

Continue on US 322

1.7 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
7

Continue on US 322

1.6 mi · 2 min · Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
8

Continue on US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
9

Continue on US 322

4.1 mi · 5 min · Route 322
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
11

Merge onto I 80

153 mi · 2 hr 44 min · Keystone Shortway
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
13

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec
14

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street
16

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
17

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
19

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway
20

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
21

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
22

Continue on PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Street
23

Turn right onto PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
24

Turn right onto PA 901

4.0 mi · 6 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
25

Continue on PA 901

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
26

Turn left onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street
27

Turn right onto PA 61

493 ft · 6 sec · Route 61 South
28

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on PA 61

2.7 mi · 3 min · Centre Street
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
31

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
32

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport Use the slight right lane.
33

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Cetronia Use the slight right lane.
34

Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
35

Arrive at destination

Tilghman Street

Trip Plan

With a duration of 5 hours and 25 minutes, this 271.4-mile drive is manageable in a single day. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Allentown. You'll have about $45 in fuel costs to budget for. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, perhaps during the 153.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route involves several turns connecting the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and US Highway 322.

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 135.7 miles from Woodland Heights, PA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 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 60 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.7 miles or 2h 40m 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 18m

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 Woodland Heights, 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 Woodland Heights, PA

This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Woodland Heights, 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 153.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

136 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

Punxsutawney, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellefonte, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.7 miles from Woodland Heights, 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 153.1 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 186.1 and 266.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
186.1 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville

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

Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
186.3 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in | PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
189.7 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | PA 54 / Elysburg Road

Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
265.3 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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...
6
266.2 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Take the exit toward Cetronia

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward Cetronia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.99 one way

$89.99 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $49.28 $98.56
premium $4.93 $52.63 $105.27
diesel $5.61 $59.92 $119.84

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

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

$45

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.4 1 $28.50 $13.03
Efficient EV 67.9 0 $23.75 $10.86
EV Truck/SUV 108.6 1 $38.00 $17.37

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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

Woodland Heights, PA

Afternoon in Woodland Heights on Sunday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allentown, PA

Afternoon in Allentown on Sunday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

11 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 25m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 271.4-mile trip. While 12% of the route is on highways, the overall character leans towards more engaging navigation rather than continuous high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 153.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This means you'll experience a dynamic shift in scenery and road conditions as you transition between major routes and local thoroughfares.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 186.1 miles in.

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 13 significant decision points across 271.4 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 186.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Woodland Heights, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.

Washingtonville

186.1 mi in | ~3h 34m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 271.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 153.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.07 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.

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 186.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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