Trip from Catawissa, PA to Allentown, PA

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

77.3 mi

124 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

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

Downtown Catawissa, PA, PA

Catawissa, PA

Haneul Trac

Downtown Allentown, PA, PA

Allentown, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Catawissa to Allentown, you are in for a 77.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip. Since both towns are located within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you will find consistent terrain throughout your travels. It is a straightforward route that prioritizes local roads over high-speed interstates, making it a reliable option for those who prefer a more grounded driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

38.6 miles from Catawissa, PA

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

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Only 4% of this 77.3-mile route consists of highway driving, so you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating regional thoroughfares like William Penn Highway, Center Avenue, and Numidia Drive. Your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving occurs on the William Penn Highway, spanning 21.6 miles. Because this path avoids major interstate corridors, you should prepare for a slower, more technical pace compared to typical highway travel. The route's personality is defined by these local connections, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns along the way.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 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 21.6 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 early in the drive near PA 42; PA 487 / Mill Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 77.3 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: near the start (PA 42; PA 487 / Mill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.7 miles (PA 42 / Numedia Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 42; PA 487 / Mill Street

Turn sharp left onto PA 42; PA 487 / Mill Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | PA 42 / Numedia Drive

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 42 / Numedia Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
16.5 mi into trip | ~29m in | PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street

At end of road, turn left onto PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
71.2 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI A...
6
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward Cetronia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Cetronia

Towns Along This Route

Between Catawissa, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport and Cetronia.

Lvi Airport

71.2 mi in | ~1h 40m | via US 22

Cetronia

72.1 mi in | ~1h 42m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 21.6 mi 26m
Center Avenue 10.6 mi 12m
Numidia Drive 6.7 mi 11m
Numedia Drive 5.4 mi 9m
Tilghman Street 4.9 mi 8m
Skyline Drive 4.2 mi 4m
Fountain Street 4.2 mi 6m
Centre Street 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 21.6 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Catawissa, PA and Allentown, PA.

1

Start on East Main Street

93 ft · 11 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn sharp left onto PA 42; PA 487

0.7 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
3

Keep slight left at fork onto PA 42

5.4 mi · 9 min · Numedia Drive
Use the none lane.
4

Continue on PA 42

6.7 mi · 11 min · Numidia Drive
5

Continue on PA 42

1.3 mi · 2 min · Aristes Highway
6

Continue on PA 42

0.6 mi · 1 min · Locust Avenue
7

Continue on PA 61

1.8 mi · 3 min · Byrnesville Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto PA 54; PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Centre Street
Use the left lane.
9

Turn right onto PA 61

0.6 mi · 49 sec · South Hoffman Boulevard
10

Turn slight left onto PA 61

0.9 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
11

Turn left onto PA 61

4.2 mi · 6 min · Fountain Street
12

Continue on PA 61

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Oak Street
13

Turn right onto PA 61

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Lehigh Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on PA 61

4.2 mi · 4 min · Skyline Drive
15

Continue on PA 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
16

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
17

Continue on PA 61

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
18

Continue on PA 61

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
19

Continue on PA 61

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
20

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on PA 61

2.7 mi · 3 min · Centre Street
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
23

Merge onto I 78; US 22

22 mi · 26 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51 Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport Use the slight right lane.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Cetronia Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
27

Arrive at destination

Tilghman Street

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a steady 1-hour and 50-minute drive is wise. Since there are no designated stops included in the route plan, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave; a $13 fuel budget is a good baseline to keep in mind. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the roads, as these local streets will demand more frequent adjustments than a standard interstate commute. Use the 21.6-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway as your best opportunity to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Given the lack of required stops, feel free to build in your own breaks along these local roads if you need to stretch your legs.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.6 miles from Catawissa, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 77.3 miles or 1h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 38.6 miles or 1h 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allentown, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Catawissa, 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 Catawissa, PA

This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Catawissa, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 21.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.6 mi from Catawissa, PA · 1h into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

39 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 77.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Catawissa, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Allentown, PA

The final approach into Allentown, 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 Allentown, PA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.79 one way

$25.58 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $14.00 $27.99
premium $4.92 $14.98 $29.96
diesel $5.64 $17.17 $34.35

Estimated Tolls: $0.07

Lehigh Valley Thruway (1 mi) $0.07

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

$13

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.2 0 $8.12 $3.71
Efficient EV 19.3 0 $6.76 $3.09
EV Truck/SUV 30.9 0 $10.82 $4.95

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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 3 days ago

Origin

Catawissa, PA

Night in Catawissa on Sunday

Local time

11:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allentown, PA

Night in Allentown on Sunday

Local time

11:07 PM

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 50m 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 Catawissa, PA to Allentown, PA covers 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, Center Avenue, Numidia Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.6 miles from Catawissa, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 77.3 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: near the start (PA 42; PA 487 / Mill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.7 miles (PA 42 / Numedia Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.5 miles (PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Catawissa, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport and Cetronia.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Catawissa, PA or browse trips ending in Allentown, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Explore maps for Catawissa, PA or Allentown, PA on MapSof.net.