How far is Bethlehem, PA from Central City, PA?
The driving distance from Bethlehem, PA to Central City, PA is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bethlehem and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem and Central City.
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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
3.2 mi · 4 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward PA 145
981 ft · 35 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on PA 145 North
73 m · 9 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto MacArthur Road
4.5 mi · 8 min · MacArthur Road
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10
Continue on Macarthur Road
7.4 mi · 10 min · Macarthur Road
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11
Continue on South Best Avenue
1 mi · 1 min · South Best Avenue
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12
Continue on North Best Avenue
2260 ft · 33 sec · North Best Avenue
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13
Continue on Riverview Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Riverview Drive
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lehigh Drive
7 mi · 10 min · Lehigh Drive
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15
Turn left onto Bridge Street
2482 ft · 1 min · Bridge Street
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16
Continue on Bankway Street
550 ft · 7 sec · Bankway Street
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17
Continue on Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
3242 ft · 55 sec · Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
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18
Continue on North 1st Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North 1st Street
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19
Continue on Mauch Chunk Street
1.9 mi · 2 min · Mauch Chunk Street
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20
Continue on Susquehanna Street
1589 ft · 39 sec · Susquehanna Street
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21
Turn right onto Lehigh Avenue
38 m · 2 sec · Lehigh Avenue
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22
Continue on Lehigh Street
2384 ft · 33 sec · Lehigh Street
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23
Continue on Lehigh Avenue
1431 ft · 22 sec · Lehigh Avenue
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24
Continue on East Catawissa Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · East Catawissa Street
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25
Turn right onto Hudson Drive
160 m · 8 sec · Hudson Drive
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26
Continue on Hunter Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Hunter Street
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27
Continue on Hudson Drive
5.7 mi · 8 min · Hudson Drive
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28
Continue on Broad Street
2666 ft · 35 sec · Broad Street
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29
Continue on Berwick Street
1 mi · 1 min · Berwick Street
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30
Continue on East Broad Street
3.8 mi · 5 min · East Broad Street
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31
Continue on North Broad Street
2738 ft · 39 sec · North Broad Street
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32
Turn straight onto Susquehanna Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Susquehanna Boulevard
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33
Continue on Valmont Parkway
1199 ft · 31 sec · Valmont Parkway
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34
Continue on State Route 93
3.7 mi · 7 min · State Route 93
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35
Continue on Berwick Hazleton Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Berwick Hazleton Highway
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36
Take the ramp slight right
1125 ft · 28 sec
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37
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
98.3 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Keystone Shortway
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38
Take the exit slight right toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, Blanchard
1731 ft · 42 sec
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39
Keep slight right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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40
Turn slight right onto Milesburg, Bellefonte, State College
932 ft · 34 sec
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41
Keep slight left
120 m · 19 sec
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42
Turn left onto Moose Run Road
1091 ft · 27 sec · Moose Run Road
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Moose Run Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethlehem and Central City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Keystone Shortway
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
98.3 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethlehem and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bethlehem to Central City?
The road trip is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bloomsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Bethlehem and 79.7 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.96 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethlehem and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Central City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethlehem and Central City. Straight-line distance: 128.88 mi (207.41 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 Central City
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,021 |
| Coordinates | 40.9500600, -77.7966700 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-77.79667, 40.95006)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $22.96 | $45.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $25.85 | $51.69 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $33.61 | $67.22 |
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.