Trip from Barrett, PA to Allentown, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

190.4 mi

306 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 33m ★

6 AM

3h 46m

8 AM

4h 11m

10 AM

3h 55m

12 PM

3h 52m

3 PM

3h 56m

5 PM

4h 10m

8 PM

3h 38m

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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Barrett, PA

Jörn Rockstroh

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Allentown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Barrett, PA to Allentown, PA covers 190.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, State Route 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.57 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

95.2 miles from Barrett, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 190.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 46m drive with frequent turns across 190.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 100.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 2.9 miles in near PA 970 / Shawville Highway.

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 190.4 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 2.9 miles (PA 970 / Shawville Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | PA 970 / Shawville Highway

Turn left onto PA 970 / Shawville Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

105.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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

105.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

184.3 mi into trip | ~3h 36m 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...

185.2 mi into trip | ~3h 37m 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

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 Barrett, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.

Washingtonville

105.1 mi in | ~1h 55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	100.4 mi	1h 48m
William Penn Highway	21.6 mi	26m
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
Tilghman Street	4.9 mi	8m
Gordon Nagle Trail	4 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 100.4 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Indian Mill Lane

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Indian Mill Lane

Turn slight left onto US 322

2.7 mi · 4 min · Clearfield Woodland Highway

Turn left onto PA 970

1.4 mi · 1 min · Shawville Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto I 80

100 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road

Continue on PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Street

Turn right onto PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway

Turn right onto PA 901

4.0 mi · 6 min · Gordon Nagle Trail

Continue on PA 901

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street

Turn left onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street

Turn right onto PA 61

493 ft · 6 sec · Route 61 South

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 61

2.7 mi · 3 min · Centre Street

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight lane.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward Cetronia Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

Tilghman Street

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 95.2 miles from Barrett, PA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.4 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 42 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.2 miles or 1h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h

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 Barrett, 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 Barrett, PA

This is one driving day of about 190.4 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Barrett, 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 100.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 95.2 mi from Barrett, PA · 1h 44m into the drive

borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Catawissa, PA

95 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 Allentown, PA

77.3 mi · 1h 50m

Pacing Suggestions

Central City, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

California, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.2 miles from Barrett, 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 100.4 miles.

Arriving in Allentown, PA

The final approach into Allentown, 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 Allentown, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 144.4

Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene

Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.57 one way

$63.13 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$34.57	$69.14
premium	$4.93	$36.93	$73.85
diesel	$5.61	$42.04	$84.08

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

$32

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.1	$19.99	$9.14
Efficient EV	47.6	$16.66	$7.62
EV Truck/SUV	76.2	$26.66	$12.19

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Barrett, PA

Afternoon in Barrett on Thursday

Local time

2:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allentown, PA

Afternoon in Allentown on Thursday

Local time

2:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 0 to 5 mph 36% chance 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

13 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

3h 46m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Barrett, PA to Allentown, PA covers 190.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, State Route 54. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 95.2 miles from Barrett, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

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

Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

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Trip from Barrett, PA to Allentown, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Allentown, PA

National Parks Near This Route

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Barrett, PA

Allentown, PA

Same local time

13 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Allentown, PA

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