How far is Bethlehem, PA from California, PA?
The driving distance from Bethlehem, PA to California, PA is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.1 miles (124.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 18m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Borough in central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethlehem and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem and California.
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1
Start on Linden Street
112 m · 13 sec · Linden Street
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2
Turn right onto East Union Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · East Union Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right
1240 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Bethlehem Spur Route
2.3 mi · 3 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 22 West: Allentown
1.3 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Lehigh Valley Thruway
9.8 mi · 13 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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7
Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway
21.7 mi · 27 min · William Penn Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
869 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on PA 61 North: Pottsville
1529 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Pottsville Pike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
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11
Continue on Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi · 13 min · Centre Turnpike
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12
Continue on Route 61 South
3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South
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13
Continue on Pottsville Boulevard
1434 ft · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
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14
Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
797 ft · 21 sec · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto Mauch Chunk Street
563 ft · 11 sec · Mauch Chunk Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Centre Street
2134 ft · 39 sec · South Centre Street
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17
Turn left onto West Market Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Market Street
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18
Continue on Pottsville Minersville Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Sunbury Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Sunbury Street
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20
Continue on Sunbury Road
9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
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21
Continue on Fairgrounds Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
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22
Continue on Locust Gap Highway
1810 ft · 43 sec · Locust Gap Highway
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23
Continue on Locust Gap Highway
11.1 mi · 13 min · Locust Gap Highway
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24
Continue on South Market Street
9.7 mi · 11 min · South Market Street
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25
Turn right onto Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
1799 ft · 46 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
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26
Continue on Factory Street
716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street
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27
Continue on Continental Boulevard
7.8 mi · 11 min · Continental Boulevard
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28
Continue on Water Street
1108 ft · 19 sec · Water Street
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29
Turn straight onto Continental Boulevard
2.7 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard
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30
Turn left onto Strick Road
2 mi · 5 min · Strick Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Strick Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethlehem and California.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
William Penn Highway
Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway
21.7 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethlehem and Chance Rain Showers near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethlehem to California?
The road trip is about 104.1 miles (167.5 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Mount Carbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.9 miles from Bethlehem and 52.1 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.1 miles (124.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 1:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.00 one way or $29.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethlehem and Chance Rain Showers near California.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Carbon
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Carbon.
White Haven, PA
Mount Joy
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Elizabethtown station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethlehem and California. Straight-line distance: 77.14 mi (124.14 km).
#1 Bethlehem
The second most populous city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 74,892 |
| Coordinates | 40.6259300, -75.3704600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
Borough in Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,261 |
| Coordinates | 41.0667500, -76.7263500 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: California (-76.72635, 41.06675)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 167 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $15.00 | $29.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.88 | $33.76 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $18.18 | $36.36 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.