Origin
Allentown, PA
Late night in Allentown on Wednesday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Allentown, PA to Great Bend, PA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Great Bend, PA
Nico Becker
Trip Overview
This 116.6-mile drive from Allentown to Great Bend, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. The route is predominantly highway, with 95% of the drive on major roads, making it efficient. Expect a fuel cost of around $19 for this trip. The drive stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a consistent travel experience throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Allentown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive for the most part, designed for covering distance. You'll spend nearly all of your time on major routes like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent highway travel. While the majority is highway, you will navigate local roads like Tilghman Street near the start.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 73.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 116.6 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
6
78.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barr...
5
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Binghamton
5
115.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
5
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
PA 171 / State Route 171
Turn left onto PA 171 / State Route 171
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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 Great Bend, PA, road signs point toward Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton.
Scranton
78 mi in
|
~1h 32m
|
via I 476; PATP
Wilkes-Barre
78.8 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Binghamton
79.1 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 73.5 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 81 | 36.5 mi | 42m |
| Tilghman Street | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| US 11 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| State Route 171 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Williams Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Great Bend, PA.
1
Start on Tilghman Street
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Tilghman Street
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 476, PATP
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 476; PATP
73 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
5
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 131
Toward I 81, US 6, US 11: Clarks Summit, Scranton
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward Binghamton
8
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 81
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
10
Turn left onto PA 171
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Route 171
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Williams Street
76 ft
·
3 sec
·
Williams Street
13
Arrive at destination
Williams Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart anytime that suits your schedule, but leaving in the morning will give you ample time to enjoy your destination without feeling rushed. With no specific stops recommended, consider using the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension as a marker for when you might want to take a quick break if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite manageable, so factor that into your budget.
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 58.3 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Bend, 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 116.6 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Allentown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 73.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Allentown, PA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Allentown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.
Arriving in Great Bend, PA
The final approach into Great Bend, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Great Bend, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.66 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.61 | $45.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.74 | $51.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.55
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(73.5 mi)
$9.55
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
$19
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Great Bend, PA
Late night in Great Bend on Wednesday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Ramapo, NY
58 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
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
2h 20m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Allentown, PA to Great Bend, PA covers 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Tilghman Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.3 miles from Allentown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 116.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Allentown, PA and Great Bend, PA, road signs point toward Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Binghamton.
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