How far is Rutherford, PA from Bethlehem, PA?
The driving distance from Rutherford, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 86.6 miles (139.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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 37m.
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 of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rutherford and Bethlehem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutherford and Bethlehem.
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1
Start on Rudy Alley
74 m · 20 sec · Rudy Alley
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
159 m · 28 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn left onto Creek Crossing Drive
1.2 km · 3 min · Creek Crossing Drive
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4
Continue on Atticks Lane
599 ft · 28 sec · Atticks Lane
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5
Turn right onto Lyters Lane
981 ft · 32 sec · Lyters Lane
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6
Turn left onto Conway Road
2464 ft · 1 min · Conway Road
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7
Turn straight onto Union Deposit Road
1167 ft · 26 sec · Union Deposit Road
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8
Turn left onto Nyes Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · Nyes Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Jonestown Road
1942 ft · 1 min · Jonestown Road
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10
Turn right onto South Mountain Road
1160 ft · 30 sec · South Mountain Road
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11
Continue on North Mountain Road
154 m · 12 sec · North Mountain Road
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 81 North: Allentown, Hazleton
2533 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
15.6 mi · 18 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 78 East: Allentown
1.1 km · 45 sec
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15
Continue on 78th Division Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · 78th Division Highway
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16
Continue on William Penn Highway
42.8 mi · 51 min · William Penn Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem
1149 ft · 22 sec
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20
Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route
1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue
1208 ft · 33 sec
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22
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue
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23
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard
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24
Turn left onto Center Street
129 m · 11 sec · Center Street
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25
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street
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26
Turn right onto Linden Street
17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rutherford 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.
William Penn Highway
Continue on William Penn Highway
42.8 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Rutherford and Mostly Sunny near Bethlehem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rutherford to Bethlehem?
The road trip is about 86.6 miles (139.3 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Bernville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.2 miles from Rutherford and 43.4 miles from Bethlehem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 3:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.62 one way or $27.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Rutherford and Mostly Sunny near Bethlehem.
Stop Ideas Near Bernville
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 Bernville.
Lancaster station
Mount Joy
Elizabethtown station
Parkesburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rutherford and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 77.51 mi (124.74 km).
#1 Rutherford
Situated in Swatara Township within Dauphin County, this census-designated place lies at an approximate elevation of 518 feet above sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.2689800, -76.7680300 |
| Altitude | 158 |
| 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: 139 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.46 | $13.62 | $27.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $15.02 | $30.04 |
| Premium | $5.31 | $16.18 | $32.36 |
| Diesel | $6.55 | $19.98 | $39.96 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026