How far is Bethlehem, PA from Swatara, PA?

The driving distance from Bethlehem, PA to Swatara, PA is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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
81.76 mi
01h 48m
Flight
72.28 mi
116.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethlehem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.28 mi
Kilometers
116.32 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.76 mi
Kilometers
131.58 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Swatara
Sun, Apr 19, 9:41 AM EDT
Return by in Bethlehem
Sun, Apr 19, 11:29 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethlehem
2026-04-19T07:52
Arrive Swatara
Sun, Apr 19, 9:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethlehem
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
Centerport
PA

Borough of Pennsylvania

From Bethlehem
40.8 mi
00h 54m
To Swatara
40.9 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethlehem and Swatara.

  1. 1

    Start on Linden Street

    112 m · 13 sec · Linden Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Union Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · East Union Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1240 ft · 30 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Bethlehem Spur Route

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Bethlehem Spur Route

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on US 22 West: Allentown

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Lehigh Valley Thruway

    9.8 mi · 13 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway

    43.1 mi · 52 min · William Penn Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on 78th Division Highway

    7.6 mi · 9 min · 78th Division Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 South: Harrisburg

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 934: Annville, Fort Indiantown Gap

    1565 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Fisher Avenue

    3227 ft · 1 min · Fisher Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right

    882 ft · 36 sec

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Allentown Boulevard

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Allentown Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Laudermilch Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Laudermilch Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Old Laudermilch Road

    2887 ft · 45 sec · Old Laudermilch Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Laudermilch Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Laudermilch Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Hersheypark Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · Hersheypark Drive

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Park Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Chocolate Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Chocolate Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Hockersville Road

    25 m · 9 sec · North Hockersville Road

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Reese Avenue

    771 ft · 34 sec · Reese Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    1 m · 1 sec · Reese Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
William Penn Highway
43.1 mi · 53%
Lehigh Valley Thruway
9.79 mi · 12%
78th Division Highway
7.59 mi · 9%
Laudermilch Road
4.91 mi · 6%
Allentown Boulevard
4.32 mi · 5%
I 81 South
3.5 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

William Penn Highway

Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway

43.1 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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
72.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Centerport
00h 54m from Bethlehem
Leave By
2:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Bethlehem and Chance Rain Showers near Swatara.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethlehem to Swatara?

The road trip is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Centerport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.8 miles from Bethlehem and 40.9 miles from Swatara.

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

The direct path is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 2:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.77 one way or $23.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bethlehem and Chance Rain Showers near Swatara.

Stop Ideas Near Centerport

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Centerport, 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 Centerport.

RAIL

Lancaster station

54 mi away
53 McGovern Avenue
RAIL

Coatesville

58 mi away
Third Ave. and Fleetwood St.
RAIL

Downingtown

59 mi away
West Lancaster Ave. and Stuart Ave.
RAIL

Parkesburg

59 mi away
W. First and S. Culvert Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethlehem and Swatara. Straight-line distance: 72.28 mi (116.32 km).

Bethlehem

#1 Bethlehem

The second most populous city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Population74,892
Coordinates40.6259300, -75.3704600
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Swatara

#2 Swatara

Township in southern Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Population4,830
Coordinates40.2767600, -76.6663600
Altitude127
CountryUnited States
Start: Bethlehem (-75.37046, 40.62593)
End: Swatara (-76.66636, 40.27676)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.88 gal
10.92 L · about $11.77
Round trip
$23.54
5.76 gal · 21.84 L
Estimated CO2
25.6 kg one way
Round trip: 51.2 kg / 113 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.77 $23.54
Mid-grade $4.60 $13.25 $26.49
Premium $4.95 $14.27 $28.54
Diesel $5.98 $17.22 $34.44

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

There is no time difference between Bethlehem and Swatara. The current time is 07:52:34.

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.