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Trip from Allentown, PA to Forest Hills, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 21m

Distance

268.7 mi

432 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 8m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m

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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Download GPX
county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Forest Hills, PA, PA

Forest Hills, PA

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

The drive from Allentown, PA to Forest Hills, PA covers 268.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 159.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.55 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

134.3 miles from Allentown, PA

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 159.6 mi 2h 55m
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
Lincoln Highway 11 mi 21m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Tilghman Street 5 mi 8m
Ardmore Boulevard 1.2 mi 2m
Harrisburg Pike 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 159.6 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Forest Hills, PA.

1

Start on Tilghman Street

5.0 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 22 West: Harrisburg
3

Merge onto US 22

0.7 mi · 54 sec · Lehigh Valley Thruway
4

Merge onto I 78; US 22

43 mi · 51 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on I 78; US 22

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
7

Merge onto I 81

37 mi · 44 min · I 81
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

201 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 11 South Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto US 11

1.0 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 76; PATP

160 mi · 2 hr 55 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto US 30

8.4 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 30

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Greensburg Avenue
18

Continue on US 30

2.6 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
19

Continue on US 30

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ardmore Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
20

Arrive at destination

US 30

Trip Plan

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 134.3 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.6 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.3 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest Hills, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Allentown, 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 Allentown, PA

This is one driving day of about 268.7 miles and 5h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Allentown, 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 159.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

134 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

Harrisburg, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chambersburg, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.3 miles from Allentown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.6 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

Jodi B's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 268.7

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14128233340

Vickey's Soul Grill | Restaurant & Catering

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania

2.2 mi

Jodi B's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 268.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14128233340

Vickey's Soul Grill | Restaurant & Catering

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 268.7

Penn Hills Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14125965367

Visit website

Babylon Restaurant and Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 268.7

Homestead, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+14124619169

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 268.7

Homestead, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14124611469

Visit website

Eat'n Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 268.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+14122423700

Visit website

Esta Esta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 268.7

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14123724414

Visit website

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 268.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14129680848

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 211.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 211.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 211.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 249.5

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 249.5

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 211.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 230.3

Jones Mills, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 268.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 93.8 and 256 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
93.8 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex

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 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
94.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 11 South
7
95.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
255.4 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Take the exit toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport

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 67 Toward US 30: Irwin, McKeesport
7
256 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 30 West: Pittsburgh

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.55 one way

$89.09 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $48.79 $97.58
premium $4.93 $52.11 $104.22
diesel $5.61 $59.33 $118.65

Estimated Tolls: $20.80

Pennsylvania Turnpike (159.6 mi) $20.75
Lehigh Valley Thruway (0.7 mi) $0.05

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

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.6 0 $28.21 $12.90
Efficient EV 67.2 0 $23.51 $10.75
EV Truck/SUV 107.5 1 $37.62 $17.20

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Allentown, PA

Afternoon in Allentown on Saturday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Forest Hills, PA

Afternoon in Forest Hills on Saturday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

134 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

6 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 21m 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.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 55.6
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 92.7
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 203.8
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 231.6
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

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 185.3
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

268.7 mi in 5h 21m, mostly highway — 159.6 mi of that is on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 15 significant decision points across 268.7 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 93.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Allentown, PA and Forest Hills, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.

Middlesex

93.8 mi in | ~1h 54m

Patp

95.1 mi in | ~1h 57m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 268.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 159.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $20.80 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 Forest Hills, 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 93.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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 5.4 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 Forest Hills, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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