How far is Back Mountain, PA from Bethlehem, PA?

The driving distance from Back Mountain, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 78.7 miles (126.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.9 miles (94.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.65 mi
01h 27m
Flight
58.92 mi
94.83 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Back Mountain.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.92 mi
Kilometers
94.83 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.65 mi
Kilometers
126.57 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethlehem
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM EDT
Return by in Back Mountain
Thu, Apr 23, 2:25 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Back Mountain
2026-04-22T23:30
Arrive Bethlehem
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Back Mountain
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Jim Thorpe
PA

Borough and county seat of Carbon County, Pennsylvania

From Back Mountain
39.3 mi
00h 43m
To Bethlehem
39.3 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph W
Destination
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Back Mountain and Bethlehem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Back Mountain and Bethlehem.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    2551 ft · 42 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Memorial Highway

    37 m · 2 sec · Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Memorial Highway

    4.7 mi · 10 min · Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    5.5 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward PATP

    1823 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on PATP

    550 ft · 13 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 476 South: Allentown

    2318 ft · 57 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

    47.8 mi · 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg

    2233 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto US 22 East: Allentown

    975 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Lehigh Valley Thruway

    8.6 mi · 12 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road

    1072 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem

    1149 ft · 22 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue

    1208 ft · 33 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Union Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Center Street

    129 m · 11 sec · Center Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Goepp Street

    1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Linden Street

    17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Back Mountain and Bethlehem.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
47.8 mi · 61%
Memorial Highway
16.2 mi · 21%
Lehigh Valley Thruway
8.63 mi · 11%
Bethlehem Spur Route
1.83 mi · 2%
West Union Boulevard
1.03 mi · 1%
PATP
0.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

47.8 mi · 00h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.8 mi
58.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jim Thorpe
00h 43m from Back Mountain
Leave By
3:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Back Mountain and Chance Rain Showers near Bethlehem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Back Mountain to Bethlehem?

The road trip is about 78.7 miles (126.6 km) and usually takes 01h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Jim Thorpe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.3 miles from Back Mountain and 39.3 miles from Bethlehem.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 58.9 miles (94.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.36 one way or $22.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Back Mountain and Chance Rain Showers near Bethlehem.

Stop Ideas Near Jim Thorpe

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Jim Thorpe, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jim Thorpe.

BUS

White Haven, PA

22 mi away
I-476, Exit 95/I-80, Exit 277, at Hwy 940
BUS

Wilkes-Barre, PA

43 mi away
47 South Washington Street
BUS

Scranton, PA

60 mi away
23 Lackawanna Avenue
RAIL

Paoli

95 mi away
13 Lancaster Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Back Mountain and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 58.92 mi (94.83 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Back Mountain

Unincorporated community

Population26,973
Coordinates41.3359100, -75.9963100
Altitude389
CountryUnited States
Bethlehem

#2 Bethlehem

The second most populous city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Population74,892
Coordinates40.6259300, -75.3704600
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Start: PA 118 (-75.997104, 41.336234)
End: Linden Street (-75.370434, 40.625929)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.78 gal
10.51 L · about $11.36
Round trip
$22.72
5.56 gal · 21.02 L
Estimated CO2
24.7 kg one way
Round trip: 49.4 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.36 $22.72
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.79 $25.57
Premium $4.95 $13.77 $27.54
Diesel $5.98 $16.62 $33.25

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Pennsylvania · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Back Mountain and Bethlehem. The current time is 23:30:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.