Origin
Nicholson, PA
Night in Nicholson on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nicholson, PA to Allentown, PA
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
95.6 mi
154 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nicholson, PA
Haneul Trac
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 95.6-mile drive from Nicholson, PA, to Allentown, PA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours. With 90% of the drive on highways, it's a quick trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost is around $16, which is quite reasonable for this distance. You'll be sticking to the Northeast region of Pennsylvania for the entire trip. This route is primarily focused on efficient travel, so if you're looking for a quick hop between two points within the state, this is a solid option.
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
47.8 miles from Nicholson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 2-hour, 95.6-mile trip. You'll spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, with a brief portion on Pennsylvania Route 107. With 90% of the drive being highway, it’s designed for getting you there efficiently. The longest stretch without a major road change is a substantial 73.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. This means you'll encounter consistent driving conditions for a significant portion of your journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 16.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 95.6 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.9 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.
7
16.2 mi into trip
|
~27m 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
16.4 mi into trip
|
~28m 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
89.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
90.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
91.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nicholson, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp South, Patp and Harrisburg.
Patp South
16.2 mi in
|
~27m
Patp
16.4 mi in
|
~28m
Harrisburg
89.9 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 73.3 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 81 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Pennsylvania Route 107 | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Tilghman Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Farnham Road | 3.6 mi | 8m |
| PA 309 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| State Route 92 North | 0.3 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 Nicholson, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on Oak Street
188 ft
·
9 sec
·
Oak Street
2
Turn right onto Pine Street
347 ft
·
17 sec
·
Pine Street
3
Turn left onto PA 92
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
State Street
4
Continue on PA 92
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
State Route 92 North
5
Turn right onto State Route 1031
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
State Route 1031
6
Continue on Farnham Road
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Farnham Road
7
Continue on Farnham Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Farnham Road
8
Turn straight onto PA 107
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pennsylvania Route 107
9
Continue on PA 107
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Pennsylvania Route 107
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
11
Merge onto I 81
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 81
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
515 ft
·
12 sec
Toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
14
Continue on I 476; PATP
73 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
16
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 22 East: Allentown
17
Merge onto US 22
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto PA 309
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
PA 309
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Tilghman Street East
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Tilghman Street
22
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given that this route is only 95.6 miles and takes about 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning can help you avoid any potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Allentown. With a low fuel cost of around $16, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops, but it's always wise to top off your tank before heading out. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is over 73 miles, so plan for a restroom break before you get on that segment if needed.
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 47.8 miles from Nicholson, PA, or about 1h 4m 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 1h 4m 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 39m
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 Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, PA
This is one driving day of about 95.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nicholson, 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 73.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.8 mi from Nicholson, PA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from Nicholson, 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
$15.85 one way
$31.70 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.36 | $34.72 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.54 | $37.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.11 | $42.21 |
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
$16
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Allentown, PA
Night in Allentown on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 15 mph
26% chance
Live forecast
40°F
Ramapo, NY
48 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
29 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 2m 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 Nicholson, PA to Allentown, PA covers 95.6 miles and takes about 2h 2m 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, Pennsylvania Route 107. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.8 miles from Nicholson, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.85 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 95.6 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Nicholson, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp South, Patp and Harrisburg.
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