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Trip from Ephrata, PA to Bethlehem, PA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

60.9 mi

98 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 24m ★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m

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

Downtown Ephrata, PA, PA

Ephrata, PA

Haneul Trac

city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Bethlehem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 60.9-mile drive from Ephrata, PA to Bethlehem, PA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on US 222 and Allentown Pike, with a portion on the Trexlertown Bypass, offering a mixed driving experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $10, this route is quite budget-friendly for a short excursion. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day out or a quick transfer between destinations within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. You won't need to worry about breaking up the journey with an overnight stay.

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

30.5 miles from Ephrata, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this journey, with about 46% of the route utilizing highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.1 miles on US 222, which should provide a relatively consistent pace. As you progress, the road character will likely shift from more rural or suburban stretches to areas with increasing development as you approach Bethlehem. This blend means you'll experience both faster-paced highway driving and potentially some more varied local road conditions as you get closer to your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 222 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.1 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 21.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 60.9 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 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.9 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

6
21.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue
4
28.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | US 222 / Allentown Pike

Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Allentown Pike

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
28.9 mi into trip | ~43m in | US 222 / Allentown Pike

Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Allentown Pike

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
42.3 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 222 / Hamilton Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Hamilton Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
60.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | Linden Street

Turn right onto Linden Street

Navigation decision point

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 Ephrata, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Allentown along the way.

Allentown

44.8 mi in | ~1h 4m | via US 222

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 222 28.1 mi 36m
Allentown Pike 6 mi 10m
Trexlertown Bypass 5.7 mi 8m
Hamilton Street 3.5 mi 6m
Kutztown Road 2.9 mi 4m
Hamilton Boulevard 2.5 mi 3m
West Broad Street 2.4 mi 3m
West Hamilton Boulevard 2.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 222 — 28.1 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, PA and Bethlehem, PA.

1

Start on US 322

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
3

Merge onto US 222

8.4 mi · 9 min · US 222
4

Continue on US 222

11 mi · 15 min · US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 49 sec
Toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn straight onto PA 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7

Turn right onto Bellevue Avenue

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Bellevue Avenue
8

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

1.5 mi · 2 min · North 5th Street Highway
9

Continue on US 222 BUS

2.5 mi · 3 min · Allentown Pike
10

Merge onto US 222

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Kutztown Road
11

Continue on US 222

1.1 mi · 2 min · Allentown Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Enter roundabout onto US 222

160 ft · 6 sec · Allentown Pike
13

Continue on US 222

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Allentown Pike
14

Enter roundabout onto US 222

123 ft · 5 sec · Allentown Pike
15

Continue on US 222

1.6 mi · 2 min · Allentown Pike
16

Continue on US 222

1.1 mi · 1 min · Kutztown Road
17

Continue on US 222

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Allentown Pike
18

Enter roundabout onto US 222

138 ft · 1 sec · Kutztown Road
19

Continue on US 222

1.5 mi · 2 min · Kutztown Road
20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 222

8.7 mi · 11 min · US 222
21

Enter roundabout onto US 222

159 ft · 2 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
22

Continue on US 222

2.4 mi · 3 min · Hamilton Boulevard
23

Turn straight onto US 222

5.7 mi · 8 min · Trexlertown Bypass
Toward US 222 North, PA 100 North: Fogelsville, Allentown
24

Continue on PA 222

2.1 mi · 3 min · West Hamilton Boulevard
25

Continue on PA 222

2.2 mi · 4 min · Hamilton Street
26

Keep slight right at fork onto Hamilton Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hamilton Street
27

Continue on Hamilton Street

0.5 mi · 48 sec · Hamilton Street
28

Continue on Hanover Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hanover Avenue
29

Continue on West Broad Street

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Broad Street
30

Turn left onto Center Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Center Street
31

Turn right onto East Goepp Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Goepp Street
32

Turn right onto Linden Street

57 ft · 1 sec · Linden Street
33

Arrive at destination

Linden Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 31-minute drive covering 60.9 miles, you have a lot of flexibility in when you depart. Leaving mid-morning could help you avoid the busiest commuter times on roads like US 222. Since the longest stretch is just over 28 miles, you won't need frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially with a low estimated fuel cost of $10. Consider a brief stop for a coffee or to stretch your legs around the halfway point if needed, though it's not strictly necessary for this manageable distance. A practical tip: be aware of potential local traffic congestion as you near Bethlehem, particularly if traveling during weekday rush hours.

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 30.5 miles from Ephrata, PA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 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 60.9 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30.5 miles or 45m 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 15m

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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, PA

This is one driving day of about 60.9 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ephrata, 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 US 222 for about 28.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.5 mi from Ephrata, PA · 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

30 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 60.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.5 miles from Ephrata, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.10 one way

$20.19 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $11.06 $22.12
premium $4.93 $11.81 $23.62
diesel $5.61 $13.45 $26.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.3 0 $6.39 $2.92
Efficient EV 15.2 0 $5.33 $2.44
EV Truck/SUV 24.4 0 $8.53 $3.90

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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 5 days ago

Origin

Ephrata, PA

Afternoon in Ephrata on Wednesday

Local time

1:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bethlehem, PA

Afternoon in Bethlehem on Wednesday

Local time

1:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°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

7 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

1h 31m 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 Ephrata, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 60.9 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 222, Allentown Pike, Trexlertown Bypass. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.5 miles from Ephrata, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.10 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 16 significant decision points across 60.9 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 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.9 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Ephrata, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Allentown along the way.

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