King, PA to Bethlehem, PA is 201.1 miles and takes about 4h 2m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in Pennsylvania. Expect a mixed drive that's mostly highway, making it a straightforward journey. It’s a solid option for a single-day trip when you want to cover ground efficiently without a lot of complex navigation.
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
100.6 miles from King, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
81 mi
1h 29m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi
14m
I 99
9.3 mi
9m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
William Penn Road
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Hickory Lane
213 ft·13 sec·Hickory Lane
2
Turn left onto William Penn Road
3.7 mi·5 min·William Penn Road
3
Turn left onto Sarah Furnace Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Sarah Furnace Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Blue Knob State Park
5
Merge onto I 99; US 220
9.3 mi·9 min·I 99; US 220
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
7
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
8
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi·1 hr 29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
16
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
20
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
24
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
25
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
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.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville RoadUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: BethlehemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi·2 min·Bethlehem Spur Route
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 2Toward Eighth AvenueUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·8th Avenue
32
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·West Union Boulevard
33
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft·11 sec·Center Street
34
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Goepp Street
35
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft·1 sec·Linden Street
36
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day trip of just over 4 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will allow you to complete the drive with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $33, planning is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer 81-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.6 miles from King, PA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 King, 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 King, PA
This is one driving day of about 201.1 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from King, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 81 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 96.4 and 197.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
96.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
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 I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
7
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 North: Harrisburg
9
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
197.2 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
197.4 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.34 one way
$66.68 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$36.51
$73.03
premium
$4.93
$39.00
$78.00
diesel
$5.61
$44.40
$88.80
Estimated Tolls: $11.25
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)$10.53
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
$33
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.3
0
$21.12
$9.65
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
EV Truck/SUV
80.4
1
$28.15
$12.87
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
King, PA
Afternoon
in King on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Afternoon
in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
SE 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Middlesex, PA
101 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 138.7
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 13.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 51% highway share, offering a blend of faster travel and more local road experiences. You'll encounter stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including one continuous segment of 81 miles, which sets a brisk pace for a good portion of the trip. As you transition to roads like William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway, expect the driving to become more varied. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and potentially more engaging two-lane driving 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 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 81 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 96.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 201.1 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 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): 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 King, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
Pittsburgh
13.7 mi in|~17m
Harrisburg
13.7 mi in|~17m
Patp: Pittsburgh
14.9 mi in|~19m
Marysville
111.6 mi in|~2h 11m
Lvi Airport
186.9 mi in|~3h 41m|via US 22
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 201.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from King, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 201.1 miles and takes about 4h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, American Legion Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.6 miles from King, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 28 significant decision points across 201.1 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 96.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between King, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Marysville and Lvi Airport.
