Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Night in Philadelphia on Wednesday
Local time
11:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Allentown, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
61.6 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Philadelphia to Allentown covers 61.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Because this is a relatively short journey within the Northeast region, you can easily complete it as a comfortable day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the one-way trek. You will primarily navigate local streets rather than major interstates, which keeps the travel experience feeling direct and straightforward. Since there are no required stops along the way, you have the flexibility to head straight to your destination. It is a practical, efficient route for anyone looking to transition between these two Pennsylvania hubs.
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
30.8 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway driving. Your path relies on navigating East Penn Square, John F, and North 16th Street to reach your destination. Because you are sticking to local roads, there is no long-distance, uninterrupted highway stretch to speak of, with the longest segment being 0 miles on East Penn Square. You will need to stay alert and ready for frequent turns throughout the 61.4-mile trip. This drive demands more active attention than a typical highway commute, making it a hands-on experience behind the wheel.
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 37.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. 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 PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 611 / East Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Ai...
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
8
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, 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.
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
6
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg and Tilghman Street East.
Harrisburg
55.7 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Tilghman Street East
57.8 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 37.5 mi | 40m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| Tilghman Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| PA 309 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North 16th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Lehigh Valley Thruway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 37.5 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on South Penn Square
397 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
2
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 676; US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 30
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 476
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
10
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
11
Continue on I 476; PATP
38 mi
·
40 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
2 min
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
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 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
Given the 1 hour and 6 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the entire trip is local, you won't need to worry about planning for long highway rest stops or complex refueling logistics beyond your $10 budget. Keep in mind that because this route relies on city streets, traffic patterns could impact your travel time more significantly than on a highway. If you prefer a smoother, less congested drive, consider leaving during mid-morning or early afternoon hours to avoid local rush-hour cycles. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by keeping your gear organized in the car, as you will be spending the entire duration of the trip navigating local turns.
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 30.8 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.5 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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.8 miles or 40m 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 3m
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 Philadelphia, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 61.6 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Philadelphia, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 37.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.8 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Philadelphia, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.21 one way
$20.43 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $11.19 | $22.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $11.95 | $23.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.60 | $27.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.88
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.5 mi)
$4.88
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
$10
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.47 | $2.96 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.39 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.62 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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 Wednesday
Local time
11:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
1h 17m 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 Philadelphia, PA to Allentown, PA covers 61.6 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Schuylkill Expressway, Tilghman Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.8 miles from Philadelphia, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.21 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 61.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Philadelphia, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Harrisburg and Tilghman Street East.
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