The drive from Great Bend, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 111.4 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 I 81, PA 33, I 380 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.3 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.47 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
55.7 miles from Great Bend, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
42.3 mi
50m
PA 33
24.8 mi
31m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Keystone Shortway
8.5 mi
11m
Easton Avenue
4.4 mi
7m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
US 6
0.8 mi
1m
William Penn Highway
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 42.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Bend, PA and Bethlehem, 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
42 mi·50 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
12
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·11 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 302AToward PA 33 South: SnydersvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto PA 33
25 mi·31 min·PA 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward William Penn HighwayUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto William Penn Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·William Penn Highway
17
Continue on Easton Avenue
4.4 mi·7 min·Easton Avenue
18
Turn left onto Linden Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Linden Street
19
Arrive at destination
Linden 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 55.7 miles from Great Bend, PA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.7 miles or 1h 7m 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 51m
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 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 111.4 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Great Bend, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 80.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
9
42.9 mi into trip|~52m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
6
47.4 mi into trip|~58m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward PA 33 South: Snydersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 302A
Toward PA 33 South: Snydersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.47 one way
$36.94 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.23
$40.45
premium
$4.93
$21.60
$43.21
diesel
$5.61
$24.60
$49.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Tannersville, PA
Tesla
16 DCFC
Scranton, PA Rechargery @ Sheetz - Scranton Carbondale Hwy
Scranton, PA
IONNA
10 DCFC
Wawa - Tesla Supercharger
Mt. Pocono, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
The Crossings Premium Outlets - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.70
$5.35
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.75
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.60
$7.13
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Great Bend, PA
Afternoon
in Great Bend on Saturday
Local time
1:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Afternoon
in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
1:42 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
15 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$10
near mile 80.7
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 2h 19m highway drive covering 111.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and PA 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 42.3 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and PA 33. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 111.4 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 42.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and William Penn Highway.
Mt Pocono
42.9 mi in|~52m|via US 6
Milford
43.7 mi in|~53m|via I 84; I 380
William Penn Highway
105.8 mi in|~2h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 111.4 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 (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Great Bend, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 111.4 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 I 81, PA 33, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.7 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 $18.47 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 15 significant decision points across 111.4 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 42.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Great Bend, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and William Penn Highway.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
