The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Ben Avon, PA covers 257 miles and takes about 5h 10m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Dowler Highway, Mahaffey Grampian Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136 miles on Keystone Shortway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.5 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 257 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 10m drive with frequent turns across 257 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 57 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 136 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 257 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These 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
6
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward PA 145
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 145
8
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 145 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward PA 145 North
5
7.7 mi into trip|~12m in|PA 145 / MacArthur Road
Merge onto PA 145 / MacArthur Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
29.5 mi into trip|~43m in|US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
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 Bethlehem, PA to Ben Avon, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shawville along the way.
Shawville
194.7 mi in|~3h 54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
136 mi
2h 27m
Dowler Highway
20.1 mi
23m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Macarthur Road
7.4 mi
10m
Lehigh Drive
7 mi
9m
Route 286 Highway East
6.7 mi
7m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
Curwensville Grampian Road
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 136 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Ben Avon, 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: AllentownUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto US 22
3.2 mi·4 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward PA 145Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
241 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 145 NorthUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto PA 145
4.5 mi·7 min·MacArthur Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on PA 145
7.4 mi·10 min·Macarthur Road
11
Continue on PA 145
1.0 mi·1 min·South Best Avenue
12
Continue on PA 145
0.4 mi·33 sec·North Best Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on PA 145
1.4 mi·1 min·Riverview Drive
14
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
7.0 mi·9 min·Lehigh Drive
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
17
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
19
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
20
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
21
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
22
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·32 sec·Lehigh Street
23
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
24
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
25
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
26
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
27
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
28
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
29
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
30
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
31
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
32
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
33
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
34
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
35
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
37
Merge onto I 80
136 mi·2 hr 27 min·Keystone Shortway
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
39
Turn left onto PA 879
4.3 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
40
Turn left onto PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
41
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
42
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
43
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
44
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
45
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
46
Continue on US 219
0.6 mi·39 sec·West Main Street
47
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
48
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
49
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
50
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
20 mi·23 min·Dowler Highway
51
Continue on PA 286
6.7 mi·7 min·Route 286 Highway East
52
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
1.7 mi·2 min·PA 286
Toward PA 286 West: Indiana
53
Turn left onto South 7th Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·South 7th Street
54
Turn slight right onto Wayne Avenue
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Avenue
Use the straight lane.
55
Turn left
172 ft·14 sec
56
Turn right
213 ft·15 sec
57
Arrive at destination
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 128.5 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136 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 57 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.5 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ben Avon, 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.
+
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 Bethlehem, PA
This is one driving day of about 257 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Bethlehem, 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 136 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.5 mi from Bethlehem, PA
· 2h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 128.5 miles from Bethlehem, 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 136 miles.
Arriving in Ben Avon, PA
The final approach into Ben Avon, 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 Ben Avon, 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.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 248.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.61 one way
$85.21 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.66
$93.33
premium
$4.93
$49.84
$99.68
diesel
$5.61
$56.74
$113.48
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(3.2 mi)$0.23
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
$43
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.1
0
$26.98
$12.34
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
EV Truck/SUV
102.8
1
$35.98
$16.45
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bethlehem, PA
Morning
in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ben Avon, PA
Morning
in Ben Avon on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
9 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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Ben Avon, PA covers 257 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Dowler Highway, Mahaffey Grampian Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.5 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 $42.61 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 257 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bethlehem, PA to Ben Avon, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shawville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
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.
