Origin
Oakland, PA
Morning in Oakland on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakland, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Drive Time
6h 20m
Distance
321.3 mi
517 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 8m
★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethlehem, PA
Phuc Tran
Trip Overview
The drive from Oakland, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 321.3 miles and takes about 6h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, State Route 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 208.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
160.7 miles from Oakland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 20m drive with frequent turns across 321.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 51 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 208.4 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 19.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 33 significant decision points across 321.3 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 19.2 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 307.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 33 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
19.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East: Clarion
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
9
307.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m 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
317.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m 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
317.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m 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
7
319.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward Eighth Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Oakland, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
227.9 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 208.4 mi | 3h 43m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 10.3 mi | 14m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Mercer-New Wilmington Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 208.4 mi, about 3h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on Fowler Lane
35 ft
·
6 sec
·
Fowler Lane
2
Turn left onto Matilda Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Matilda Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto West Washington Street
186 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Washington Street
4
Turn right onto Miller Avenue
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Miller Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 224
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West State Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
7
Merge onto I 376; US 422
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Beaver Valley Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward PA 18
9
Turn right onto Mitchell Road
460 ft
·
10 sec
·
Mitchell Road
10
Turn left onto Glen Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Glen Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto PA 18
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilmington Road
12
Turn right onto PA 158
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 158
13
Turn right onto Beechwood Road
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Beechwood Road
14
Turn left onto PA 956
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
15
Continue on PA 158
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Mercer-New Wilmington Road
16
Turn right onto Steingrabe Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Steingrabe Road
17
Turn right onto US 19
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South Erie Street
18
Continue on US 19
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Perry Highway
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
20
Merge onto I 80
208 mi
·
3 hr 43 min
·
Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
22
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
23
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
25
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
26
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
28
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
29
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
30
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
31
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
32
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
33
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
34
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
35
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
36
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
37
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
40
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
Exit 51
Toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Use the slight right lane.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
Use the slight right lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on PA 378
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Spur Route
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 2
Toward Eighth Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
46
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
8th Avenue
47
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Union Boulevard
48
Turn left onto Center Street
423 ft
·
11 sec
·
Center Street
49
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Goepp Street
50
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Linden Street
51
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.7 miles from Oakland, PA, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208.4 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.7 miles or 3h 5m 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
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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, PA
This is one driving day of about 321.3 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oakland, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 208.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 160.7 mi from Oakland, PA · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 160.7 miles from Oakland, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 208.4 miles.
Arriving in Bethlehem, PA
The final approach into Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.17 one way
$106.33 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $58.18 | $116.35 |
| premium | $4.92 | $62.26 | $124.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.38 | $142.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
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
$53
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.74 | $15.42 |
| Efficient EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.11 | $12.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.5 | 1 | $44.98 | $20.56 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning in Bethlehem on Monday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
4 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
6h 20m 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 Oakland, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 321.3 miles and takes about 6h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, State Route 54. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.7 miles from Oakland, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.17 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 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 33 significant decision points across 321.3 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 19.2 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 307.1 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 317.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Oakland, PA to Bethlehem, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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