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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Concord, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

151.1 mi

243 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Concord, PA, PA

Concord, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Concord, PA covers 151.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on William Penn Highway, I 81, Pennsylvania Turnpike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.1 miles on William Penn Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.05 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

75.6 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 151.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Concord, PA covers 151.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 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 43.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 151.1 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 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 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
8
102.1 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
102.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 11 South
7
103.8 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
128.5 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Take the exit toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Bethlehem, PA and Concord, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Chambersburg.

Middlesex

102.1 mi in | ~2h 6m

Patp

103.3 mi in | ~2h 9m

Chambersburg

128.5 mi in | ~2h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 24.5 mi 26m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 9.8 mi 13m
Path Valley Road 9.1 mi 16m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Timmons Road 3.9 mi 7m
Forge Hill Road 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 43.1 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem, PA and Concord, 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

43 mi · 51 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on I 78; US 22

7.6 mi · 8 min · 78th Division Highway
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 81 South: Harrisburg
10

Merge onto I 81

37 mi · 44 min · I 81
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 52 Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

201 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 11 South Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto US 11

1.0 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 76; PATP

24 mi · 26 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn right onto PA 997

0.9 mi · 1 min · Cumberland Highway
19

Continue on PA 997

1.6 mi · 2 min · Trout Run
20

Continue on PA 997

1.5 mi · 2 min · Cumberland Highway
21

Turn right onto PA 641; PA 997

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Newburg Road
22

Continue on PA 641

3.0 mi · 5 min · Forge Hill Road
23

Continue on PA 641

3.9 mi · 7 min · Timmons Road
24

At end of road, turn left onto PA 641

1.6 mi · 2 min · Spring Run Road East
25

Turn right onto PA 75

9.1 mi · 16 min · Path Valley Road
26

Arrive at destination

PA 75

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 75.6 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 33 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.6 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, 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 151.1 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 William Penn Highway for about 43.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 75.6 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 1h 34m into the drive

Downtown Middlesex, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middlesex, PA

76 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

Allentown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Harrisburg, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Concord, PA

The final approach into Concord, 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 Concord, PA.

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.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

National Monument

More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 104.2
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 62.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.05 one way

$50.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $27.44 $54.87
premium $4.93 $29.30 $58.61
diesel $5.61 $33.36 $66.72

Estimated Tolls: $3.87

Pennsylvania Turnpike (24.5 mi) $3.18
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

$25

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.3 0 $15.87 $7.25
Efficient EV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04
EV Truck/SUV 60.4 0 $21.15 $9.67

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Evening in Bethlehem on Friday

Local time

7:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Concord, PA

Evening in Concord on Friday

Local time

7:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Middlesex, PA

76 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

8 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

3h 16m 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 Concord, PA covers 151.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are William Penn Highway, I 81, Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 75.6 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 $25.05 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 151.1 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 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Bethlehem, PA and Concord, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Chambersburg.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

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.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Concord, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

151.5 mi 3h 17m

Explore more options from Bethlehem, PA or browse trips ending in Concord, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.