The drive from Ellport, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 327.7 miles and takes about 6h 21m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, I 79 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 203.9 miles on Keystone Shortway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.33 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
163.9 miles from Ellport, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 327.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 21m drive with frequent turns across 327.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 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 203.9 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 9.8 miles in near I 79.
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 25 significant decision points across 327.7 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 9.8 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 323.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.8 mi into trip|~17m in|I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
313.5 mi into trip|~6h 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...
7
323.8 mi into trip|~6h 14m in
Take the exit toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
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 PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville...
8
324 mi into trip|~6h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
7
326 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
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 Ellport, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
234.3 mi in|~4h 19m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
203.9 mi
3h 38m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
I 79
19.9 mi
21m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi
14m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 203.9 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellport, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on 3rd Street
89 ft·9 sec·3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Jamison Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Jamison Avenue
3
Turn left onto PA 488
8.4 mi·14 min·Portersville Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 19; PA 488
0.2 mi·21 sec·Perry Highway
5
Turn slight left onto PA 488
0.6 mi·1 min·East Portersville Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
7
Merge onto I 79
20 mi·21 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
9
Merge onto I 80
204 mi·3 hr 38 min·Keystone Shortway
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
11
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
12
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
14
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
15
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
17
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
18
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
19
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
20
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
21
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
22
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
23
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
24
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
25
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
26
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
29
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
10 mi·14 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville RoadUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: BethlehemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi·2 min·Bethlehem Spur Route
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 2Toward Eighth AvenueUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·8th Avenue
36
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·West Union Boulevard
37
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft·11 sec·Center Street
38
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Goepp Street
39
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft·1 sec·Linden Street
40
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.9 miles from Ellport, PA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.9 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 72 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.9 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellport, 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 Ellport, PA
This is one driving day of about 327.7 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Ellport, 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 203.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.9 mi from Ellport, PA
· 3h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 163.9 miles from Ellport, 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 203.9 miles.
Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
The final approach into Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem, 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 271.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.33 one way
$108.66 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$59.50
$119.00
premium
$4.93
$63.55
$127.11
diesel
$5.61
$72.35
$144.70
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(10.3 mi)$0.72
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
$54
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.67
$13.11
EV Truck/SUV
131.1
1
$45.88
$20.97
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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 14, 2026
Origin
Ellport, PA
Afternoon
in Ellport on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Afternoon
in Bethlehem on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph1% chanceLive 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
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
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ellport, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 327.7 miles and takes about 6h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, I 79. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.9 miles from Ellport, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 327.7 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 9.8 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 313.5 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 323.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ellport, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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.
