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Trip from Bethlehem, PA to McConnellsburg, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

159.7 mi

257 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 12m

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 McConnellsburg, PA, PA

McConnellsburg, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to McConnellsburg, PA covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.48 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

79.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 159.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to McConnellsburg, PA covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 18m, 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 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 46.4 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 17 significant decision points across 159.7 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 17 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
150.4 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in

Take the exit toward US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount Union

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 US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount Union

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 McConnellsburg, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Mount Union.

Middlesex

102.1 mi in | ~2h 6m

Patp

103.3 mi in | ~2h 9m

Mount Union

150.4 mi in | ~3h 3m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 46.4 mi 51m
William Penn Highway 43.1 mi 51m
I 81 36.6 mi 44m
Lehigh Valley Thruway 9.8 mi 13m
Great Cove Road 8.5 mi 13m
78th Division Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Bethlehem Spur Route 2.3 mi 3m
Harrisburg Pike 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 46.4 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

46 mi · 51 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount Union Use the slight right lane.
18

At end of road, turn left onto US 522

8.5 mi · 13 min · Great Cove Road
19

Continue on US 522

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 2nd Street
20

Turn left onto PA 16

37 ft · 1 sec · Lincoln Way East
21

Arrive at destination

PA 16

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 79.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 35 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McConnellsburg, 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 159.7 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 46.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79.9 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 1h 39m into the drive

Downtown Middlesex, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Middlesex, PA

80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Harrisburg, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in McConnellsburg, PA

The final approach into McConnellsburg, 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 McConnellsburg, 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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 104.6
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 ~7 min detour Free near mile 60.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.48 one way

$52.95 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $29.00 $57.99
premium $4.93 $30.97 $61.94
diesel $5.61 $35.26 $70.52

Estimated Tolls: $6.72

Pennsylvania Turnpike (46.4 mi) $6.03
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

$26

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.9 0 $16.77 $7.67
Efficient EV 39.9 0 $13.97 $6.39
EV Truck/SUV 63.9 0 $22.36 $10.22

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 Thursday

Local time

7:35 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McConnellsburg, PA

Evening in McConnellsburg on Thursday

Local time

7:35 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Middlesex, PA

80 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

10 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 18m 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 McConnellsburg, PA covers 159.7 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.9 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 $26.48 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 159.7 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 McConnellsburg, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex, Patp and Mount Union.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

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