Origin
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Friday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Ashland, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ashland, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Bethlehem, PA to Ashland, PA is 68.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via William Penn Highway, Centre Turnpike, and Lehigh Valley Thruway, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, keeping you in Pennsylvania for its entirety. Expect a local drive with frequent turns, making it a more engaging experience than a straight shot on the interstate. With a duration under two hours, it's a straightforward day trip perfect for a quick journey between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34 miles from Bethlehem, 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 31m. Total distance: 68.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction than on a typical highway journey. Only about 20% of the drive involves highways, so anticipate navigating local roads and traffic signals for much of the 68.1 miles. The longest stretch without a turn or stop is 21.7 miles on the William Penn Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before the local roads resume. This driving profile suggests an itinerary where you'll be actively engaged with navigation, making it a dynamic rather than a passive experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 21.7 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 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 West: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 22 West: Allentown
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Merge onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
35.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
35.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
5
36.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Merge onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 21.7 mi | 26m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Joseph H. Long Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Fountain Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Route 61 South | 3 mi | 3m |
| Pottsville Pike | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 21.7 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Ashland, PA.
1
Start on Linden Street
367 ft
·
13 sec
·
Linden Street
2
Turn right onto East Union Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Union Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
4
Merge onto PA 378
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22 West: Allentown
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto US 22
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
10
Merge onto PA 61
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
16
Continue on PA 61
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Skyline Drive
18
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lehigh Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto PA 61
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oak Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Fountain Street
21
Turn right onto PA 61
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
22
Turn slight right onto PA 61
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Hoffman Boulevard
23
Turn left onto PA 54; PA 61
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Centre Street
24
Arrive at destination
PA 54; PA 61
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 31 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and be at your destination with plenty of time for activities, or even leave in the afternoon. Since there are no designated stops in the data, consider planning your own based on what you might need, like fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your navigation system, especially as you approach the 20% highway share and the remaining local roads, as the frequent turns can be disorienting. The estimated fuel cost is $11, so ensure you have enough gas before departing Bethlehem, PA.
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 34 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.7 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 15 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34 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 Ashland, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bethlehem, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bethlehem, PA
This is one driving day of about 68.1 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Bethlehem, 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 21.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ashland, PA
The final approach into Ashland, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.29 one way
$22.58 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.37 | $24.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.21 | $26.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.04 | $30.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(9.8 mi)
$0.69
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
$11
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Ashland, PA
Morning in Ashland on Friday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
New Philadelphia, PA
34 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
10 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
1h 31m 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 Bethlehem, PA to Ashland, PA covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, Centre Turnpike, Lehigh Valley Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34 miles from Bethlehem, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.29 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 68.1 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bethlehem, PA to Ashland, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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