Origin
Great Bend, PA
Morning in Great Bend on Saturday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Bend, PA to Allentown, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Bend, PA
Nico Becker
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Great Bend, PA to Allentown, PA covers 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Tilghman Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.33 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Great Bend, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 116.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 19m highway drive covering 116.6 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 73.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 11 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 116.6 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 0.2 miles (US 11 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (PA 171 / State Route 171): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 11 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 11 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
PA 171 / State Route 171
Turn left onto PA 171 / State Route 171
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
37.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 South: Clarks Summit
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 US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 Sout...
7
37.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
6
110.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Great Bend, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp South and Patp.
Patp South
37.2 mi in
|
~44m
Patp
37.4 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 73.3 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 81 | 36.6 mi | 42m |
| Tilghman Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| PA 309 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Franklin Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Bend, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on Williams Street
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Williams Street
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
431 ft
·
21 sec
·
Franklin Street
3
Turn right onto Pine Street
292 ft
·
20 sec
·
Pine Street
4
Turn left onto US 11
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto PA 171
210 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Route 171
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
37 mi
·
42 min
·
I 81
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 South: Clarks Summit
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
515 ft
·
12 sec
Toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
10
Continue on I 476; PATP
73 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
12
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 22 East: Allentown
13
Merge onto US 22
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto PA 309
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
PA 309
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Tilghman Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Tilghman Street
18
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
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 58.3 miles from Great Bend, PA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
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 Great Bend, 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 Great Bend, PA
This is one driving day of about 116.6 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Great Bend, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 73.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Great Bend, PA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Great Bend, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.3 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.66 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.61 | $45.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.74 | $51.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.53
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(73.3 mi)
$9.53
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
$19
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning in Allentown on Saturday
Local time
9:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 10 mph
36% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 11:55PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 11:47PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
18 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
2h 19m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Great Bend, PA to Allentown, PA covers 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Tilghman Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.3 miles from Great Bend, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.33 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 13 significant decision points across 116.6 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 0.2 miles (US 11 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (PA 171 / State Route 171): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Great Bend, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp South and Patp.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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