The drive from Summit, PA to Allentown, PA covers 216.2 miles and takes about 4h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, I 99 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.84 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
108.1 miles from Summit, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 216.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Summit, PA to Allentown, PA covers 216.2 miles and takes about 4h 15m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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 81 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 216.2 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 22 East: Altoona
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Altoona
6
9.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
7
119.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
120.6 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
210.1 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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 Summit, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Marysville.
Pittsburgh
37 mi in|~41m
Harrisburg
37 mi in|~41m
Patp: Pittsburgh
38.1 mi in|~44m
Marysville
134.9 mi in|~2h 35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
81 mi
1h 29m
William Penn Highway
50.9 mi
1h
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
American Legion Memorial Highway
22.5 mi
27m
I 81
12.7 mi
15m
78th Division Highway
7.6 mi
8m
Tilghman Street
4.9 mi
8m
Harrisburg Pike
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summit, PA and Allentown, PA.
1
Start on Portage Road
231 ft·17 sec·Portage Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.3 mi·40 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 22 East: AltoonaUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 22
8.2 mi·9 min·William Penn Highway
5
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
10
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
81 mi·1 hr 29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 North: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 11
1.1 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Harrisburg
18
Merge onto I 81
13 mi·15 min·I 81
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
22
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
19 mi·22 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 89Toward I 78 East: Allentown
26
Continue on I 78
7.6 mi·8 min·78th Division Highway
27
Continue on I 78; US 22
43 mi·50 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward CetroniaUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto Tilghman Street
4.9 mi·8 min·Tilghman Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Tilghman Street
Trip Plan
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 108.1 miles from Summit, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
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 Summit, 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 Summit, PA
This is one driving day of about 216.2 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Summit, 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 81 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.1 mi from Summit, PA
· 2h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 108.1 miles from Summit, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 119.3
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...
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...
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 37.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.84 one way
$71.69 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.26
$78.51
premium
$4.93
$41.93
$83.86
diesel
$5.61
$47.73
$95.47
Estimated Tolls: $10.60
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)$10.53
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
$36
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.9
0
$22.70
$10.38
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.92
$8.65
EV Truck/SUV
86.5
1
$30.27
$13.84
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Summit, PA
Evening
in Summit on Friday
Local time
7:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Allentown, PA
Evening
in Allentown on Friday
Local time
7:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
1 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
4h 15m 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 Summit, PA to Allentown, PA covers 216.2 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, William Penn Highway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.1 miles from Summit, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.84 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 23 significant decision points across 216.2 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 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Summit, PA and Allentown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Marysville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. There are 4 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
