How far is Central City, PA from Bethlehem, PA?
The driving distance from Central City, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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 55m.
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.
Census-designated place (CDP) in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Bethlehem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Bethlehem.
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1
Start on Moose Run Road
2198 ft · 59 sec · Moose Run Road
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2
Turn left
50 m · 6 sec
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3
Turn straight
1.4 km · 2 min
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4
Turn left
1688 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
66.2 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Keystone Shortway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
1080 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn slight left
24 m · 3 sec
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8
Turn right onto Continental Boulevard
2.9 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard
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9
Continue on Factory Street
716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street
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10
Continue on Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
1799 ft · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
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11
Turn left onto Elysburg Road
9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
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12
Continue on State Route 54
11.1 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
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13
Continue on Locust Gap Highway
1897 ft · 42 sec · Locust Gap Highway
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14
Continue on Fairgrounds Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
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15
Continue on Sunbury Road
9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
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16
Continue on Sunbury Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Sunbury Street
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17
Turn right onto Pottsville Minersville Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
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18
Turn right onto Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
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19
Continue on North Sillyman Street
1281 ft · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
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20
Turn left onto Pottsville Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Pottsville Street
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21
Turn right onto Route 61 South
150 m · 6 sec · Route 61 South
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22
Continue on Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue
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23
Continue on Centre Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · Centre Street
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
1423 ft · 41 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway
21.6 mi · 27 min · William Penn Highway
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem
1149 ft · 22 sec
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29
Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route
1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue
1208 ft · 33 sec
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31
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue
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32
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard
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33
Turn left onto Center Street
129 m · 11 sec · Center Street
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34
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street
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35
Turn right onto Linden Street
17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and Bethlehem.
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
66.2 mi · 01h 11m
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 then Partly Sunny leaving Central City and Rain Showers Likely near Bethlehem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central City to Bethlehem?
The road trip is about 177.8 miles (286.1 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Elysburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Central City and 97.2 miles from Bethlehem.
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 48.9 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 12:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.62 one way or $51.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Central City and Rain Showers Likely near Bethlehem.
Stop Ideas Near Elysburg
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 Elysburg.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Harrisburg Transportation Center
White Haven, PA
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 128.88 mi (207.41 km).
#1 Central City
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,021 |
| Coordinates | 40.9500600, -77.7966700 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bethlehem
The second most populous city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 74,892 |
| Coordinates | 40.6259300, -75.3704600 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Linden Street (-75.370434, 40.625929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $25.62 | $51.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $28.84 | $57.67 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $31.06 | $62.12 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $37.49 | $74.99 |
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.