This 276.4-mile journey from Upper Darby, PA, to Bethlehem, PA, is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major roadways, including the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and Mid-County Expressway, with about 31% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $46. This route offers a mixed driving experience, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to travel between these two points within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain a good pace.
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
138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 276.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience on this route, featuring a significant 31% on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 156.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, which will likely feel like a substantial portion of your drive. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway also contribute to the highway segments. This blend of high-speed roads and other thoroughfares creates a dynamic 'mixed drive' profile, keeping you engaged without being overly demanding. The road character shifts as you progress, offering different driving conditions throughout the 5-hour-plus journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 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 156.6 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 0.3 miles in near South Lansdowne Avenue.
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 14 significant decision points across 276.4 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 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lansdowne Avenue
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
5.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
5
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
5
249.5 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Shawville.
Mount Pocono
91.8 mi in|~1h 50m
Shawville
249.5 mi in|~4h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
156.6 mi
2h 50m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi
1h 21m
Mid-County Expressway
10.8 mi
14m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Curwensville Grampian Road
4.7 mi
5m
Clearfield Shawville Highway
4.3 mi
6m
South Lansdowne Avenue
3 mi
8m
Curwensville Grampian Highway
2.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 156.6 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Upper Darby, PA and Bethlehem, PA.
1
Start on West Providence Road
0.3 mi·46 sec·West Providence Road
2
Turn left onto South Lansdowne Avenue
3.0 mi·8 min·South Lansdowne Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Turn slight left onto PA 3
2.2 mi·4 min·West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth MeetingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
12
Merge onto I 80
157 mi·2 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
14
Turn left onto PA 879
4.3 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
15
Turn left onto PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
16
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
17
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
18
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
19
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
20
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
21
Continue on US 219
0.2 mi·13 sec·West Main Street
22
Turn left onto PA 36
0.3 mi·26 sec·Market Street
23
Turn right onto PA 36
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
24
Turn right onto Bethlehem Hill Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Bethlehem Hill Road
25
Arrive at destination
Deer Run Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour-plus duration and 276.4-mile distance, starting your trip in Upper Darby early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While this route is manageable in a single day with one recommended stop, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 156.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations.
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 138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.6 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 61 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.2 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
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 Upper Darby, 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 Upper Darby, PA
This is one driving day of about 276.4 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Upper Darby, 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 156.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.2 mi from Upper Darby, PA
· 2h 42m 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.
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.82 one way
$91.65 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.19
$100.37
premium
$4.93
$53.60
$107.21
diesel
$5.61
$61.03
$122.05
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)$9.75
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
$46
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Blink Charging Station
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
Blink
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Tesla
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Drums, Pennsylvania
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Tesla: 4
Other: 2
Blink: 1
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.02
$13.27
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.70
$17.69
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Upper Darby, PA
Night
in Upper Darby on Thursday
Local time
11:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Night
in Bethlehem on Thursday
Local time
11:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Harrisburg, PA
138 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
1 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
5h 19m 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 Upper Darby, PA to Bethlehem, PA covers 276.4 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Mid-County Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.2 miles from Upper Darby, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.82 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 14 significant decision points across 276.4 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 0.3 miles (South Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Upper Darby, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Mount Pocono and Shawville.
