This Pennsylvania drive from North East to Allentown covers 335.1 miles and will take you about 7 hours and 2 minutes to complete. It's a solid day trip, so you can get there and back or continue your journey without needing an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $56, and you'll have about 2 planned stops along the way. The route traverses regions within Pennsylvania, offering a consistent regional experience throughout your travel. Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of the journey.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.6 miles from North East, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 335.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This isn't your typical interstate cruise; expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 335.1-mile trip. With only 11% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, including segments of the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 153.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you get back to more winding sections. This drive will keep you engaged with frequent changes in direction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 61 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 153.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Vine Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 335.1 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 0.1 miles (Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 20 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 249.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Vine Street
Turn left onto Vine Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 20 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 20 / East Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
249.8 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
9
329 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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...
6
330 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward Cetronia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Cetronia
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from North East, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
249.8 mi in|~5h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
153.1 mi
2h 44m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
William Flinn Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Colonel Drake Highway
13.5 mi
19m
Route 208
12.3 mi
18m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 153.1 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North East, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on this road
318 ft·28 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Vine Street
260 ft·19 sec·Vine Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
252 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto PA 89
0.8 mi·1 min·South Lake Street
5
Continue on PA 89
3.8 mi·5 min·Station Road
6
Continue on PA 89
8.4 mi·12 min·PA-89
7
Continue on PA 89
0.6 mi·58 sec·Station Road
8
Continue on PA 8; PA 89
1.4 mi·2 min·PA-8/PA-89
9
Continue on PA 8; PA 89
0.5 mi·58 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on PA 8; PA 89
5.2 mi·7 min·Smiley Hill Road
11
Continue on PA 8
2.3 mi·3 min·William Flinn Highway
12
Continue on PA 8
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 8
3.1 mi·4 min·Titusville Road
14
Continue on PA 8
7.8 mi·10 min·William Flinn Highway
15
Continue on PA 8
1.6 mi·2 min·Erie Street
16
Continue on PA 8
4.6 mi·6 min·William Flinn Highway
17
Continue on PA 8
3.0 mi·4 min·Hydetown Road
18
Continue on PA 8
1.3 mi·3 min·West Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on PA 27
0.1 mi·21 sec·Diamond Street
20
Turn straight onto PA 27
2.1 mi·4 min·East Central Avenue
21
Continue on PA 27
2.6 mi·3 min·Titusville Road
22
Continue on PA 27; PA 227
1.3 mi·1 min·West State Street
23
Continue on PA 36
4.4 mi·6 min·Tionesta Road
24
Continue on PA 36
4.5 mi·6 min·Colonel Drake Highway
25
Turn left onto US 62; PA 36
0.3 mi·27 sec·Route 36 and 62
26
At end of road, turn right onto PA 36
0.5 mi·48 sec·Elm Street
27
Continue on PA 36
9.0 mi·13 min·Colonel Drake Highway
28
Continue on PA 208
5.0 mi·7 min·Route 208
29
Continue on PA 208
7.2 mi·10 min·Route 208
30
Continue on PA 208
0.4 mi·40 sec·North School Street
31
Turn left onto US 322
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
32
Continue on US 322
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
33
Continue on US 322
1.6 mi·2 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
34
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
35
Continue on US 322
4.1 mi·5 min·Route 322
36
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
37
Merge onto I 80
153 mi·2 hr 44 min·Keystone Shortway
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
39
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
40
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
42
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
43
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
44
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
45
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
46
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
47
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
48
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
49
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
50
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
51
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
52
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
53
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
54
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
55
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
56
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
57
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
58
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.
59
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
60
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
61
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from North East, PA, early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for your two planned stops. The $56 fuel budget is a good estimate, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 153.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, be mindful of posted speed limits and potential for unexpected delays as you pass through various communities. Planning your stops strategically will help break up the drive effectively.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.6 miles from North East, PA, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 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 74 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.6 miles or 3h 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 5h 42m
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 East, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North East, PA
This is one driving day of about 335.1 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from North East, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 153.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.6 mi from North East, PA
· 3h 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 288.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.56 one way
$111.11 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$60.85
$121.69
premium
$4.93
$64.99
$129.98
diesel
$5.61
$73.99
$147.97
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
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
$56
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.5
1
$35.19
$16.08
Efficient EV
83.8
0
$29.32
$13.40
EV Truck/SUV
134
1
$46.91
$21.45
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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 East, PA
Morning
in North East on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Morning
in Allentown on Saturday
Local time
9:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
168 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
7h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from North East, PA to Allentown, PA covers 335.1 miles and takes about 7h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, William Flinn Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.6 miles from North East, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 18 significant decision points across 335.1 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 0.1 miles (Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 20 / East Main Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 249.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from North East, PA to Allentown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
