Colerain, PA to Allentown, PA is 179.5 miles and takes about 3 hours 55 minutes via General Potter Highway, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a route with frequent turns, so it's not a high-speed interstate journey. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a straightforward drive without the need for an overnight stay.
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
89.8 miles from Colerain, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 179.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive profile, meaning you'll be navigating more frequent directional changes rather than sustained highway cruising. With a highway share of only 1%, the majority of your time will be spent on roads that require active attention. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 75.6 miles on General Potter Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before encountering further local road segments. Be prepared for a driving experience that involves constant engagement with the road and its many turns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
General Potter Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 75.6 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 around 100.4 miles in near US 322.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 179.5 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 100.4 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
100.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
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.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...
6
100.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazlet...
6
103.3 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
173.4 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
174.4 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Colerain, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Hazleton and Carlisle.
Hazleton
100.4 mi in|~2h 18m|via US 322
Carlisle
100.4 mi in|~2h 18m|via US 322
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
General Potter Highway
75.6 mi
1h 35m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
20.9 mi
25m
Spruce Creek Road
8.7 mi
15m
West Pine Grove Road
7.6 mi
14m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Shingletown Road
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
General Potter Highway
— 75.6 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colerain, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on PA 45
8.7 mi·15 min·Spruce Creek Road
2
Continue on PA 45
7.6 mi·14 min·West Pine Grove Road
3
Turn right onto PA 45
4.2 mi·5 min·Shingletown Road
4
Turn straight onto PA 45
467 ft·17 sec·PA 45
5
Turn straight onto US 322 Business; PA 45
4.2 mi·7 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
76 mi·1 hr 35 min·General Potter Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi·1 min·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
9
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
12
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
13
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 55-minute duration, this drive is comfortably achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 75.6-mile stretch on General Potter Highway, as services might be less frequent on these local roads. Consider a brief stop midway to stretch your legs and refuel before continuing the remaining portion of your journey to Allentown.
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 89.8 miles from Colerain, PA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 39 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.8 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 Colerain, 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 Colerain, PA
This is one driving day of about 179.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Colerain, 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 General Potter Highway for about 75.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.8 mi from Colerain, PA
· 2h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 89.8 miles from Colerain, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before General Potter Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.6 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 124.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 93.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.76 one way
$59.52 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.59
$65.19
premium
$4.93
$34.81
$69.62
diesel
$5.61
$39.63
$79.26
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
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.85
$8.62
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
EV Truck/SUV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Colerain, PA
Night
in Colerain on Friday
Local time
10:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Night
in Allentown on Friday
Local time
10:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Lewistown, PA
90 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
3 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 55m 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 Colerain, PA to Allentown, PA covers 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are General Potter Highway, William Penn Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.8 miles from Colerain, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.76 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 10 significant decision points across 179.5 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 100.4 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Colerain, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Hazleton and Carlisle.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.
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.
