Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
82.4 mi
133 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
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
Carbondale, PA
Michael Taccetta
The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Carbondale, PA covers 82.4 miles and takes about 1h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 380, PA-33, Governor Robert P. Casey Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.8 miles on I 380. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.66 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.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Bethlehem, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 380 | 26.8 mi | 29m |
| PA-33 | 22 mi | 27m |
| Governor Robert P. Casey Highway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Keystone Shortway | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| Easton Avenue | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| PA 33 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Meredith Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pike Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Carbondale, PA.
Start on Linden Street
Turn left onto East Union Boulevard
Turn left onto Maple Street
Turn left onto East Fairview Street
Turn right onto Linden Street
Turn right onto Easton Avenue
Continue on William Penn Highway
Take the ramp
Merge onto PA 33
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 33
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Take the exit
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn left onto Meredith Street
Turn right onto US 6 BUS
Continue on US 6 BUS
Continue on Cottage Street
Continue on Pike Street
Continue on South Main Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 18 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 56m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 82.4 miles and 1h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 28 and 80.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 33 toward PA 33 North: Bartonsville, Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Carbondale, Childs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Meredith Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 6 BUS / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$13.66 one way
$27.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.96 | $29.92 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.98 | $31.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.54 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Carbondale on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
82.4 mi in 1h 47m, mostly highway — 26.8 mi of that is on I 380.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 380 and PA-33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28 miles in near PA 33.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 28 miles (PA 33): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bethlehem, PA to Carbondale, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Hazleton along the way.
Hazleton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 82.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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