This 278-mile drive from North Apollo to Allentown, Pennsylvania, is efficiently completed in about 5 hours and 31 minutes, making it a feasible single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, and American Legion Memorial Highway, with 65% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it's an economical journey across Pennsylvania. This route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience for travelers looking to cover ground quickly within the Northeast region.
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
139.1 miles from North Apollo, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 31m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 278-mile route, with 65% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 152 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which sets the pace for much of the journey. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of the William Penn Highway and American Legion Memorial Highway may introduce some variations in road type and speed as you progress. This drive is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 152 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near PA 66 / State Route 66.
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 21 significant decision points across 278.2 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 4 miles (PA 66 / State Route 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4 mi into trip|~6m in|PA 66 / State Route 66
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66 / State Route 66
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
28.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
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 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pitts...
7
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
272.1 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Apollo, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp: New Stanton, Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Marysville.
Patp: New Stanton
28.3 mi in|~39m
Patp: Harrisburg
28.8 mi in|~40m
Pittsburgh
28.8 mi in|~40m
Harrisburg
181.6 mi in|~3h 29m
Marysville
196.8 mi in|~3h 50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
152 mi
2h 47m
William Penn Highway
42.8 mi
50m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
State Route 66
14.4 mi
23m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.2 mi
13m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 152 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Apollo, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on 19th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·19th Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 66
1.3 mi·1 min·PA 56; PA 66
3
Turn right onto PA 66
0.3 mi·21 sec·1st Street
4
Continue on PA 66
2.3 mi·3 min·State Route 66
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
12 mi·19 min·State Route 66
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA Tpke 66
12 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 0BToward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 70
0.2 mi·22 sec·I 70
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
12
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
152 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
17
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
21
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
25
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
26
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI AirportUse the slight right lane.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 31-minute duration, departing in the morning from North Apollo will allow you to reach Allentown with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps before embarking on the 152-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in when you start and end your journey.
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 139.1 miles from North Apollo, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 28m
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 North Apollo, 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 North Apollo, PA
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from North Apollo, 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 152 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.1 mi from North Apollo, PA
· 2h 43m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 182.3
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 230.2
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 76.7
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 38.4
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 95.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.12 one way
$92.24 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.51
$101.03
premium
$4.93
$53.95
$107.91
diesel
$5.61
$61.42
$122.85
Estimated Tolls: $20.68
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(152 mi)$19.76
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.2 mi)$0.85
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1 mi)$0.07
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
$46
Tolls
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Somerset, Pennsylvania
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Acme, Pennsylvania
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Nissan Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 5
EV Connect: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Other: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.21
$13.35
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.34
$11.13
EV Truck/SUV
111.3
1
$38.95
$17.80
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
North Apollo, PA
Late night
in North Apollo on Saturday
Local time
2:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Late night
in Allentown on Saturday
Local time
2:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Hancock, MD
139 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
2 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
5h 31m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from North Apollo, PA to Allentown, PA covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 31m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.1 miles from North Apollo, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.12 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 21 significant decision points across 278.2 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 4 miles (PA 66 / State Route 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between North Apollo, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Patp: New Stanton, Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Marysville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
