If you are planning to head from Upland to Bethlehem, prepare for a 64.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes. This route stays entirely within Pennsylvania, transitioning through the Northeast corridor. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. While the drive is relatively short, it favors local roads over high-speed interstates, so expect a more deliberate pace compared to a typical highway commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.5 miles from Upland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Bethlehem is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Easton, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania.
In the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem borders Nazareth to its northwest, Allentown to its west, Hellertown to its southeast, and Easton to its east. The city is about 70 miles (110 km) north of Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the United States, and about 80 miles (130 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 64.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (23%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 23% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend the majority of your time navigating regional connectors like Pottstown Pike, PA 100, and Embreeville Road. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 20.2-mile stretch along Pottstown Pike. Because the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, the road feel is technical and engaging, requiring you to stay alert as the landscape shifts from Upland toward Bethlehem.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pottstown Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 20.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
635 ft207 ft
Total Climb
1,028 ft
Total Descent
1,202 ft
Highest Point
635 ft
~21.6 mi in
Elevation Range
428 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near PA 162 / Embreeville Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 2.3 miles (PA 162 / Embreeville Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (US 322 / Downingtown Pike): Navigation decision point; at 19.1 miles (PA 100 / Pottstown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|PA 162 / Embreeville Road
Turn left onto PA 162 / Embreeville Road
Navigation decision point
5
10.2 mi into trip|~19m in|US 322 / Downingtown Pike
At end of road, turn left onto US 322 / Downingtown Pike
Navigation decision point
5
19.1 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 100 / Pottstown Pike
Turn left onto PA 100 / Pottstown Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
54 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|PA 29 / South Cedar Crest Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 29 / South Cedar Crest Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|Linden Street
Turn right onto Linden Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pottstown Pike
20.2 mi
31m
PA 100
14.8 mi
25m
Embreeville Road
4 mi
7m
Emaus Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Downingtown Pike
2.3 mi
3m
Emmaus Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Broadway
2.1 mi
3m
Clonmell Upland Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pottstown Pike
— 20.2 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upland, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on PA 842
2.0 mi·3 min·Clonmell Upland Road
2
Turn right onto PA 82; PA 842
0.2 mi·44 sec·West Doe Run Road
3
Turn left onto PA 162
4.0 mi·7 min·Embreeville Road
4
Continue on PA 162
1.5 mi·2 min·Telegraph Road
5
Turn slight right onto PA 162
1.1 mi·1 min·West Strasburg Road
6
Turn left onto Sugars Bridge Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Sugars Bridge Road
7
Turn left onto Sugars Bridge Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Sugars Bridge Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 322
2.3 mi·3 min·Downingtown Pike
9
Continue on US 322
0.9 mi·1 min·Brandywine Avenue
10
Turn slight right onto Wallace Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Wallace Avenue
11
Continue on PA 282
1.4 mi·2 min·Creek Road
12
Turn right onto Dowlin Forge Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·Dowlin Forge Road
13
Continue on Shelmire Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Shelmire Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto Dorlan Mill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Dorlan Mill Road
15
Turn left onto Moore Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Moore Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto Park Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Park Road
17
Turn left onto PA 100
20 mi·31 min·Pottstown Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on PA 100
0.2 mi·16 sec·PA 100
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on PA 100
15 mi·24 min·PA 100
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto PA 29
0.2 mi·28 sec·South Cedar Crest Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto North Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Street
22
Continue on Harrison Street
1.7 mi·4 min·Harrison Street
23
Turn right
51 ft·4 sec
24
Turn left onto Dalton Street
0.4 mi·52 sec·Dalton Street
25
Continue on Emaus Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·Emaus Avenue
26
Continue on Emmaus Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·Emmaus Avenue
27
Continue on Broadway
2.1 mi·3 min·Broadway
28
Turn right onto PA 412
0.2 mi·38 sec·West 3rd Street
29
Turn left onto Fahy Bridge
0.4 mi·42 sec·Fahy Bridge
30
Turn right onto Center Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Center Street
31
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Goepp Street
32
Turn right onto Linden Street
57 ft·1 sec·Linden Street
33
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Given that there are no formal stops required by the route data, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $11 gas estimate reflects a direct transit. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can make the drive feel longer than the mileage suggests, so factor in extra time if you are not accustomed to navigating non-highway routes. My best tip is to keep your navigation apps handy, as the reliance on local roads like Embreeville Road means you should be prepared for frequent directional changes compared to a straightforward highway haul.
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 32.5 miles from Upland, PA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.2 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.5 miles or 58m 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 36m
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 Upland, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Upland, PA
This is one driving day of about 64.9 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Upland, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pottstown Pike for about 20.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.5 mi from Upland, PA
· 58m 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.
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 2.2
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 24.6
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.76 one way
$21.52 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$11.78
$23.57
premium
$4.93
$12.59
$25.17
diesel
$5.61
$14.33
$28.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.5
0
$6.81
$3.12
Efficient EV
16.2
0
$5.68
$2.60
EV Truck/SUV
26
0
$9.09
$4.15
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Upland, PA
Morning
in Upland on Saturday
Local time
11:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Morning
in Bethlehem on Saturday
Local time
11:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
28 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 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Upland, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 64.9 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pottstown Pike, PA 100, Embreeville Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.5 miles from Upland, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.76 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 64.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 2.3 miles (PA 162 / Embreeville Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (US 322 / Downingtown Pike): Navigation decision point; at 19.1 miles (PA 100 / Pottstown Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Upland, PA to Bethlehem, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 207 ft to 635 ft elevation with about 1,028 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include First State National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
