This 71.8-mile journey from Allentown to Palmdale, Pennsylvania, is designed as a straightforward day trip, estimated to take about 1 hour and 32 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for exploring your local region. The route primarily utilizes the William Penn Highway and 78th Division Highway, giving you a feel for Pennsylvania's local road network. Given its short duration and minimal stops, this drive offers a convenient way to travel between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Allentown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a highway share of only 40%. You'll navigate through a mix of local roads, including significant portions on the William Penn Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.1 miles on the William Penn Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before re-engaging with more frequent turns. This drive's character suggests a pace that requires attention to navigation rather than simply cruising on open highway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
William Penn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.8 miles (I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.8 mi into trip|~9m in|I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge onto I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
56.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
8
60 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward PA 934: Annville, Fort Indiantown Gap
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 85
Toward PA 934: Annville, Fort Indiantown Gap
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|US 22 / Allentown Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 22 / Allentown Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|PA 743 / Laudermilch Road
Turn left onto PA 743 / Laudermilch Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Allentown, PA to Palmdale, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Indiantown Gap along the way.
Fort Indiantown Gap
60 mi in|~1h 13m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
43.1 mi
51m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
5 mi
8m
Allentown Boulevard
4.3 mi
5m
Laudermilch Road
3.9 mi
6m
I 81
2.8 mi
3m
North Lingle Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 43.1 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allentown, PA and Palmdale, 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 1BToward I 81 South: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·3 min·I 81
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 85Toward PA 934: Annville, Fort Indiantown GapUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto PA 934
0.6 mi·1 min·Fisher Avenue
10
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 22
4.3 mi·5 min·Allentown Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto PA 743
3.6 mi·5 min·Laudermilch Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on PA 743
0.5 mi·44 sec·Old Laudermilch Road
14
Continue on PA 743
0.4 mi·34 sec·Laudermilch Road
15
Turn left onto Gravel Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·Gravel Road
16
Turn straight onto North Lingle Avenue
1.2 mi·1 min·North Lingle Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 422
0.5 mi·1 min·East Chocolate Avenue
18
Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue
80 ft·3 sec·Roosevelt Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Roosevelt Avenue
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 1 hour and 32-minute drive, flexibility is your best asset. You can easily depart at your convenience, but be mindful of local traffic patterns, especially during peak commute times. Since there are no recommended stops, plan your fuel and any necessary breaks before you leave Allentown or upon arrival in Palmdale. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the route is described as turn-heavy, with the longest stretch on William Penn Highway offering a bit more sustained driving.
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 35.9 miles from Allentown, PA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 45m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmdale, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Allentown, PA
This is one driving day of about 71.8 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Allentown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 43.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.9 mi from Allentown, PA
· 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Allentown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palmdale, PA
The final approach into Palmdale, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 52
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.90 one way
$23.81 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.04
$26.07
premium
$4.93
$13.92
$27.85
diesel
$5.61
$15.85
$31.71
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.54
$3.45
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.28
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.60
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Allentown, PA
Night
in Allentown on Friday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palmdale, PA
Night
in Palmdale on Friday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Bloomsburg, PA
36 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
35 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 32m 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 Palmdale, PA covers 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, 78th Division Highway, Tilghman Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 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 $11.90 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles (I 78; US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Allentown, PA to Palmdale, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Indiantown Gap along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
