How far is Mercer, PA from Allentown, PA?

Fastest route

The distance between Mercer, Pennsylvania 16137 and Allentown, Pennsylvania is approximately 309 miles (497 kilometers). The fastest route, taking into account current traffic conditions, is via I-80 E. The estimated travel time is 4 hours and 38 minutes.

Directions

To travel from Mercer, Pennsylvania 16137 to Allentown, Pennsylvania:

  1. Start by heading south on US-19 S/Erie St toward W Market St.
  2. Continue on US-19 S and pass by NAPA Auto Parts - Hometown Auto Parts, Inc on the right after 0.3 miles.
  3. Turn left onto the ramp to Clarion.
  4. Follow I-80 E and I-476 S.
  5. Take the PA-145/MacArthur Rd exit from US-22 E.
  6. Take exit 277 toward PA-940/I-476/Allentown/Wilkes-Barre/Pennsylvania Tpke (toll road).
  7. Keep right at the fork, following signs for I-476 S/Allentown, and merge onto I-476 S (toll road).
  8. Take exit 56 for US-22 toward Lehigh Vly/I-78/PA-309/Allentown/Harrisburg (toll road).
  9. Turn right to merge onto US-22 E.
  10. Take the PA-145/MacArthur Rd exit toward 7th Street.
  11. Keep right at the fork, following signs for Allentown, and merge onto PA-145 S/MacArthur Rd.
  12. Follow PA-145 S, passing Wells Fargo Bank on the right after 1 mile.
  13. Finally, turn left onto Hamilton St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan your journey ahead of time to ensure a smooth travel experience.
  • ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the entire trip, especially if there are limited gas stations along the way.
  • 📱 Use a GPS or navigation app to help you stay on the designated route.
  • 🚧 Stay updated on current traffic conditions to avoid delays and plan accordingly.
  • 📝 Take note of any toll roads along the route and have the necessary payment methods available.
  • 🍴 Consider packing some snacks and drinks for the journey to stay refreshed and energized.
  • 🚻 Take breaks during the trip to stretch your legs and use restroom facilities, if needed.
  • 🛣️ Observe traffic signs and follow the speed limits for a safe and enjoyable journey.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
296.39 mi
05h 06m
Flight
251.6 mi
404.91 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mercer.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
251.6 mi
Kilometers
404.91 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
296.39 mi
Kilometers
476.99 km
Drive Time
05h 06m

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 05h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Allentown
Thu, Apr 23, 2:25 AM EDT
Return by in Mercer
Thu, Apr 23, 7:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mercer
2026-04-22T21:19
Arrive Allentown
Thu, Apr 23, 2:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:06 AM to 1:06 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:48 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mercer
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Curtin
PA

Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania

From Mercer
147.9 mi
02h 33m
To Allentown
148.4 mi
02h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W
Destination
66°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

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

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mercer and Allentown.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercer and Allentown.

  1. 1

    Start on Erie Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Erie Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Perry Highway

    963 ft · 24 sec · Perry Highway

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 80 East: Clarion

    1120 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

    208.4 mi · 3 hr 44 min · Keystone Shortway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville

    1080 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Turn slight left

    24 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Continental Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on Factory Street

    716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

    1799 ft · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Elysburg Road

    9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road

  11. 11

    Continue on State Route 54

    11.1 mi · 13 min · State Route 54

  12. 12

    Continue on Locust Gap Highway

    1897 ft · 42 sec · Locust Gap Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Fairgrounds Road

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Sunbury Road

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Sunbury Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Sunbury Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pottsville Minersville Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Gordon Nagle Trail

    4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Nagle Trail

  18. 18

    Continue on North Sillyman Street

    1281 ft · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Pottsville Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Pottsville Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Route 61 South

    150 m · 6 sec · Route 61 South

  21. 21

    Continue on Center Avenue

    10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Centre Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Centre Street

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown

    1423 ft · 41 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway

    21.6 mi · 27 min · William Penn Highway

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on Lehigh Valley Thruway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward Cetronia

    1053 ft · 27 sec

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto Tilghman Street

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Tilghman Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tilghman Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercer and Allentown.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Keystone Shortway
208 mi · 70%
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi · 7%
State Route 54
11.1 mi · 4%
Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 4%
Elysburg Road
9.74 mi · 3%
Sunbury Road
9.37 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Keystone Shortway

Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

208 mi · 03h 44m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.8 mi
251.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Curtin
02h 33m from Mercer
Leave By
6:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Mercer and Chance Rain Showers near Allentown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mercer to Allentown?

The road trip is about 296.4 miles (477 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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?

Curtin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.9 miles from Mercer and 148.4 miles from Allentown.

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

The direct path is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.74 one way or $85.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Mercer and Chance Rain Showers near Allentown.

Stop Ideas Near Curtin

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

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

RAIL

Lewistown

45 mi away
150 Helen Street
RAIL

Tyrone

54 mi away
Pennsylvania Ave and West 10th St.
RAIL

Huntingdon

59 mi away
Fourth and Allegheny Sts.
RAIL

Altoona Transportation Center

75 mi away
1231 11th Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mercer and Allentown. Straight-line distance: 251.6 mi (404.91 km).

Mercer

#1 Mercer

Borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population1,865
Coordinates41.2270000, -80.2397900
Altitude395
CountryUnited States
Allentown

#2 Allentown

The third most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population121,470
Coordinates40.6084300, -75.4901800
Altitude103
CountryUnited States
Start: Erie Street (-80.239945, 41.226998)
End: Tilghman Street (-75.490007, 40.608068)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 477 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.46 gal
39.59 L · about $42.74
Round trip
$85.48
20.92 gal · 79.18 L
Estimated CO2
93 kg one way
Round trip: 185.9 kg / 410 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $42.74 $85.48
Mid-grade $4.60 $48.11 $96.21
Premium $4.95 $51.82 $103.64
Diesel $5.98 $62.55 $125.10

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 Mercer and Allentown. The current time is 21:19:01.

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.