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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to Fairfield, PA

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

136.8 mi

220 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 51m ★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fairfield, PA, PA

Fairfield, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Fairfield, PA covers 136.8 miles and takes about 3h 2m 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, US 15, I 81 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 $22.68 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

68.4 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to Fairfield, PA covers 136.8 miles and takes about 3h 2m, 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 83.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 136.8 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 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.3 miles (I 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Take the exit toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisburg, York

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 70 Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisbur...
8
88.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | I 83

Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York
9
92.9 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 41A Toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg
8
94.9 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp Hill

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5B-A Toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: G...
8
95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South: Gettysburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 5B Toward US 15 South: Gettysburg

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 Fairfield, PA, road signs point toward York, Gettysburg and Camp Hill.

York

83.7 mi in | ~1h 43m

Gettysburg

92.9 mi in | ~1h 56m | via PA 581

Camp Hill

94.9 mi in | ~1h 59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
US 15 30.8 mi 40m
I 81 18.3 mi 21m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 9.8 mi 13m
I 83 8.3 mi 11m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Fairfield Road 6.7 mi 11m
Bethlehem Spur Route 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 43.1 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

18 mi · 21 min · I 81
11

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 70 Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisburg, York Use the slight left lane.
12

Continue on I 83; US 322

3.7 mi · 5 min · I 83; US 322
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 83

4.6 mi · 6 min · I 83
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581

2.0 mi · 2 min · American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Exit 41A Toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 5B-A Toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp Hill Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 5B Toward US 15 South: Gettysburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 15

31 mi · 40 min · US 15
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 30 Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

380 ft · 10 sec
20

Merge onto US 30

1.4 mi · 2 min · York Road
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on US 30

0.5 mi · 1 min · York Street
22

Turn slight left onto Liberty Street

439 ft · 14 sec · Liberty Street
23

Turn right onto East Middle Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · East Middle Street
24

Continue on PA 116

6.7 mi · 11 min · Fairfield Road
25

Continue on PA 116

0.4 mi · 39 sec · East Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

PA 116

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 68.4 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 25m 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 136.8 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 68.4 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 1h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

68 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.4 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fairfield, PA

The final approach into Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, 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.

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 ~7 min detour Free near mile 61.3
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 103.8
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.68 one way

$45.36 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.84 $49.68
premium $4.93 $26.53 $53.06
diesel $5.61 $30.20 $60.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.69

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

$23

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41 0 $14.36 $6.57
Efficient EV 34.2 0 $11.97 $5.47
EV Truck/SUV 54.7 0 $19.15 $8.76

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Late night in Bethlehem on Wednesday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, PA

Late night in Fairfield on Wednesday

Local time

12:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

1 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 2m 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 Fairfield, PA covers 136.8 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, US 15, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.4 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 $22.68 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 17 significant decision points across 136.8 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 83.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.3 miles (I 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bethlehem, PA and Fairfield, PA, road signs point toward York, Gettysburg and Camp Hill.

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