How far is Preston, PA from Bethlehem, PA?
The driving distance from Preston, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 72.5 miles (116.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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 01h 19m.
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 and county seat of Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston and Bethlehem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston and Bethlehem.
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1
Start on Chester Street
87 m · 16 sec · Chester Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
2444 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn right onto Hazleton Street
3198 ft · 1 min · Hazleton Street
-
4
Turn right
1160 ft · 20 sec
-
5
Take the ramp slight left
29 m · 5 sec
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6
Turn left
4.9 mi · 7 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward PA 115 east, PA 309 north: Bear Creek
1395 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left
4 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward PATP
1823 ft · 44 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on PATP
550 ft · 13 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 476 South: Allentown
2318 ft · 57 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
47.8 mi · 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
2233 ft · 1 min
-
14
Turn slight right onto US 22 East: Allentown
975 ft · 29 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Lehigh Valley Thruway
8.6 mi · 12 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem
1149 ft · 22 sec
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18
Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route
1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue
1208 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue
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21
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto Center Street
129 m · 11 sec · Center Street
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23
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street
-
24
Turn right onto Linden Street
17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston and Bethlehem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
47.8 mi · 00h 52m
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 leaving Preston 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 Preston to Bethlehem?
The road trip is about 72.5 miles (116.6 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Jim Thorpe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Preston and 36.3 miles from Bethlehem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 3:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.46 one way or $20.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Preston and Rain Showers Likely near Bethlehem.
Stop Ideas Near Jim Thorpe
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 Jim Thorpe.
White Haven, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Scranton, PA
Paoli
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 48.91 mi (78.72 km).
#1 Preston
Township in Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,003 |
| Coordinates | 41.2070300, -75.9054800 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $10.46 | $20.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $11.77 | $23.55 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $12.68 | $25.36 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $15.31 | $30.62 |
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.