Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h
Distance
44.4 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Auburn, PA
Dominik Gryzbon
This 44.4-mile drive from Bethlehem, PA, to Auburn, PA, is a quick one-day trip, taking about an hour to complete. You'll primarily be on the William Penn Highway, Lehigh Valley Thruway, and Centre Turnpike, with about 7% of the journey on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $7, this short hop is budget-friendly and offers a straightforward local driving experience. It's a convenient option for a short excursion within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, easily manageable in a single day without the need for an overnight stay.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 44.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 44.4-mile route. While only 7% is highway, the majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 21.7 miles on the William Penn Highway. This drive isn't about high-speed cruising; instead, it's a more engaged experience with frequent adjustments. The character of the road will shift as you move through different stretches, offering a more varied feel than a monotonous interstate journey.
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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.4 miles you will encounter 11 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward US 22 West: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 21.7 mi | 26m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Market Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Pottsville Pike | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Bethlehem Spur Route | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Union Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| PA 895 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Auburn, PA.
Start on Linden Street
Turn right onto East Union Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto PA 378
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 22
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Take the exit onto PA 895
Continue on PA 895
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.2 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.2 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Auburn, 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.
Regular Gas
$7.36 one way
$14.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.80 | $19.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.66 | $2.13 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bethlehem on Thursday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
56°F
Kutztown, PA
22 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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