Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Bethlehem, PA to McKean, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 43m

Distance

273.8 mi

441 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 31m ★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

borough of Pennsylvania

McKean, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bethlehem, PA to McKean, PA covers 273.8 miles and takes about 5h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Keystone Shortway, US 219, Bennetts Valley Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.39 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

136.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 273.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 43m drive with frequent turns across 273.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 60 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 145 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 Effort 9/10

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 25 significant decision points across 273.8 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 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 25 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 McKean, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Penfield

203.7 mi in | ~4h 4m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 145 mi 2h 36m
US 219 24.9 mi 28m
Bennetts Valley Highway 10.5 mi 16m
Million Dollar Highway 8.3 mi 12m
State Park Road 7.5 mi 13m
Macarthur Road 7.4 mi 10m
Lehigh Drive 7 mi 9m
Hudson Drive 5.8 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 145 mi, about 2h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

3.2 mi · 4 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward PA 145 Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

241 ft · 9 sec
Toward PA 145 North Use 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 South Use 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

145 mi · 2 hr 36 min · Keystone Shortway
38

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
39

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
40

Turn straight onto PA 153

7.5 mi · 13 min · State Park Road
41

Turn right onto PA 255

7.9 mi · 12 min · Bennetts Valley Highway
42

Continue on PA 255

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Million Dollar Highway
43

Continue on PA 255

2.6 mi · 3 min · Bennetts Valley Highway
44

Turn straight onto PA 255

8.1 mi · 12 min · Million Dollar Highway
45

Continue on PA 120; PA 255

0.1 mi · 14 sec · South Saint Marys Street
46

Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255

147 ft · 3 sec · Railroad Street
47

Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255

382 ft · 8 sec · South Michael Street
48

Continue on PA 255

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Michael Street
49

Turn left onto PA 255

0.7 mi · 1 min · Maurus Street
50

Continue on PA 255

4.4 mi · 6 min · Johnsonburg Road
51

Continue on PA 255

2.3 mi · 3 min · Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
52

Continue on PA 255

0.8 mi · 1 min · Powers Avenue
53

Keep slight right at fork

149 ft · 5 sec
54

Merge onto US 219

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 219
55

Keep slight right at fork onto US 219

18 mi · 20 min · US 219
56

Turn right onto PA 59

4.5 mi · 6 min · Mt Alton Road
57

Continue on PA 59

4.1 mi · 5 min · Mt Alton-Ormsby Road
58

Turn left onto Ormsby Crossroad

415 ft · 15 sec · Ormsby Crossroad
59

Continue on PA 646

0.9 mi · 1 min · Ridge Road
60

Arrive at destination

PA 646

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 136.9 miles from Bethlehem, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145 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 60 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136.9 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKean, 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 273.8 miles and 5h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 145 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 136.9 mi from Bethlehem, PA · 2h 51m into the drive

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

137 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

City of Scranton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellefonte, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.9 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 145 miles.

Arriving in McKean, PA

The final approach into McKean, 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 McKean, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.39 one way

$90.79 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $49.72 $99.43
premium $4.93 $53.10 $106.20
diesel $5.61 $60.45 $120.90

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

$45

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.1 1 $28.75 $13.14
Efficient EV 68.5 0 $23.96 $10.95
EV Truck/SUV 109.5 1 $38.33 $17.52

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Bethlehem, PA

Afternoon in Bethlehem on Thursday

Local time

4:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

McKean, PA

Afternoon in McKean on Thursday

Local time

4:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

27°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

61 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 43m 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 McKean, PA covers 273.8 miles and takes about 5h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, US 219, Bennetts Valley Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.9 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 $45.39 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 25 significant decision points across 273.8 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 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 McKean, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From McKean, PA

Bristol, PA 337.8 mi · 6h 37m Philadelphia, PA 330.1 mi · 6h 30m

More from Bethlehem, PA

Erie, PA 364.3 mi · 7h Waterford, PA 325 mi · 6h 48m Oakwood, PA 317.9 mi · 6h 16m Connoquenessing, PA 317.8 mi · 6h 12m Oak Hills, PA 308.1 mi · 6h 5m Rennerdale, PA 298.5 mi · 5h 56m

More trips to McKean, PA

Bristol, PA 337.6 mi Philadelphia, PA 330 mi Pittsburgh, PA 155.1 mi Erie, PA 109.3 mi
Overnight trips from Bethlehem, PA Scenic drives in PA

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Explore maps for Bethlehem, PA or McKean, PA on MapSof.net.