Origin
Jim Thorpe, PA
Evening in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
43m
Distance
31.4 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jim Thorpe, PA
Michael Taccetta
Allentown, PA
Michael Taccetta
If you are looking for a quick transition from the historic charms of Jim Thorpe to the urban center of Allentown, this 31.4-mile trek is an ideal choice. Spanning about 43 minutes, the journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $5 for fuel, making this a highly economical route within Pennsylvania’s Northeast region. While the drive is short, the mix of interstate connectivity and local streets ensures you get a balanced experience. It serves as a straightforward, practical link between these two distinct locations.
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
15.7 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from local roads like Mauch Chunk Street onto the more efficient Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Roughly 60% of your time will be spent on the highway, where you will tackle the longest uninterrupted stretch of 18.2 miles. This creates a rhythmic contrast between the slower, navigating portions of the drive and the steady pace of the turnpike. As you move toward Allentown, the road character shifts from the initial local segments into a more streamlined highway commute. The route is balanced, providing enough variety to keep the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
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 7 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 31.4 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 25.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Take the exit toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Tilghman Street East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Jim Thorpe, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Harrisburg and Tilghman Street East.
Patp
Harrisburg
Tilghman Street East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| Tilghman Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Mauch Chunk Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Interchange Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North 1st Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| PA 309 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North First Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jim Thorpe, PA and Allentown, PA.
Start on West 6th Street
Turn right onto PA 903
At end of road, turn left onto US 209
Turn left onto US 209
Continue on US 209
Continue on US 209
Continue on US 209
Continue on US 209
Continue on US 209
Continue on US 209
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Merge onto US 22
Take the exit
Merge onto PA 309
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
Arrive at destination
Since this trip only takes 43 minutes, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, allowing you to easily work it into a busy schedule. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops, though keeping an eye on traffic patterns when merging onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a smart move. Given the $5 fuel estimate, it is a low-overhead trip that doesn't require complex financial planning or extensive vehicle prep. Focus your attention on the transition between the local streets and the highway, as the character of the road changes quickly once you clear the initial 18.2-mile turnpike section. Because the drive is so short, you can spend more time enjoying your destination rather than worrying about the logistics of the road.
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.
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 31.4 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.7 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allentown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jim Thorpe, 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 Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 31.4 miles and 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.7 mi from Jim Thorpe, PA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 31.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.20 one way
$10.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $5.69 | $11.37 |
| premium | $4.92 | $6.08 | $12.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.98 | $13.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.36
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
$5
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.75 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
16 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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