Origin
Lehighton, PA
Night in Lehighton on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lehighton, PA to Allentown, PA
Drive Time
37m
Distance
27.2 mi
44 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lehighton, PA
Andaru Firmansyah
Allentown, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward commute, the 27.2-mile journey from Lehighton to Allentown is an ideal option. Spanning just 37 minutes, this trip is easily completed as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Interchange Road, and Tilghman Street. With fuel costs estimated at around $5, it is a very budget-friendly transit within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Whether you are traveling for business or a brief visit, this route provides a reliable connection between these two communities.
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
13.6 miles from Lehighton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 69% of your time behind the wheel will be spent at higher speeds. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension serves as the backbone of the trip, offering an uninterrupted 18.2-mile stretch that allows for a steady pace. As you transition off the turnpike and navigate onto Interchange Road and Tilghman Street, the character of the drive shifts from an open highway grind to a more localized flow. The balance of high-speed transit and standard road travel keeps the drive feeling efficient from start to finish.
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.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 18.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Tilghman Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 209 / South First Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 27.2 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 0.3 miles (US 209 / South First Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 209 / South First Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 209 / South First Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
21.5 mi into trip
|
~27m 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...
6
22.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
6
23.4 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward Tilghman Street East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Tilghman Street East
Towns Along This Route
Between Lehighton, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Harrisburg and Tilghman Street East.
Patp
2.8 mi in
|
~5m
Harrisburg
21.5 mi in
|
~27m
Tilghman Street East
23.4 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 18.2 mi | 20m |
| Tilghman Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Interchange Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| PA 309 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Bridge Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Bankway Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South First Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 18.2 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lehighton, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on South 4th Street
87 ft
·
4 sec
·
South 4th Street
2
Turn right onto Mahoning Street
457 ft
·
14 sec
·
Mahoning Street
3
Turn right onto 3rd Street
66 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Street
4
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South First Street
6
Continue on US 209
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bankway Street
7
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 209
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Interchange Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
11
Merge onto I 476; PATP
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 22 East: Allentown
14
Merge onto US 22
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto PA 309
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
PA 309
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Tilghman Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Tilghman Street
19
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 37-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily manage the entire trip without needing to plan for formal rest stops, as there are zero scheduled stops required. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Lehighton, even though the $5 cost is minimal, to ensure a stress-free transition onto the turnpike. Focus your attention on the transition points between the major highways and local streets, as this is where traffic patterns shift most significantly. Embracing the brevity of this route allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Allentown.
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 13.6 miles from Lehighton, PA, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 27.2 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
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 Lehighton, 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 Lehighton, PA
This is one driving day of about 27.2 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lehighton, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 18.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Lehighton, PA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Lehighton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$4.50 one way
$9.00 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.92 | $9.85 |
| premium | $4.92 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.36
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(18.2 mi)
$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
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.86 | $1.31 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.38 | $1.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Night in Allentown on Sunday
Local time
9:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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
37m 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 Lehighton, PA to Allentown, PA covers 27.2 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Tilghman Street, Interchange Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.6 miles from Lehighton, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.50 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 12 significant decision points across 27.2 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 0.3 miles (US 209 / South First Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lehighton, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Harrisburg and Tilghman Street East.
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