How far is South Union, PA from Bethlehem, PA?
The driving distance from South Union, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.9 miles (172 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Scattered Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Union and Bethlehem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Union and Bethlehem.
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1
Start on South Union Road
25 m · 6 sec · South Union Road
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2
Turn right onto Beck Road
1.5 km · 4 min · Beck Road
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3
Turn right onto Salt Spring Road
1.5 mi · 6 min · Salt Spring Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
4.3 mi · 8 min
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Blockhouse Road
1901 ft · 40 sec · Blockhouse Road
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6
Turn right onto Route 414
1.1 km · 1 min · Route 414
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7
Take the ramp left
1061 ft · 26 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Appalachian Thruway
29.2 mi · 34 min · Appalachian Thruway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
949 ft · 23 sec
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10
Keep slight right
48 m · 6 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Market Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Market Street
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12
Turn slight left onto Montgomery Pike
1.3 mi · 2 min · Montgomery Pike
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13
Continue on US Highway 15
11.7 mi · 17 min · US Highway 15
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14
Continue on Westbranch Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Westbranch Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
1864 ft · 59 sec
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16
Keep slight left
2393 ft · 58 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
13 mi · 14 min · Keystone Shortway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
1080 ft · 27 sec
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19
Turn slight left
24 m · 3 sec
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20
Turn right onto Continental Boulevard
2.9 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard
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21
Continue on Factory Street
716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street
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22
Continue on Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
1799 ft · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
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23
Turn left onto Elysburg Road
9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
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24
Continue on State Route 54
11.1 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
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25
Continue on Locust Gap Highway
1897 ft · 42 sec · Locust Gap Highway
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26
Continue on Fairgrounds Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
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27
Continue on Sunbury Road
9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
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28
Continue on Sunbury Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Sunbury Street
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29
Turn right onto Pottsville Minersville Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
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30
Turn right onto Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
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31
Continue on North Sillyman Street
1281 ft · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
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32
Turn left onto Pottsville Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Pottsville Street
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33
Turn right onto Route 61 South
150 m · 6 sec · Route 61 South
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34
Continue on Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue
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35
Continue on Centre Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · Centre Street
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36
Take the exit slight right toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
1423 ft · 40 sec
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37
Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway
21.6 mi · 27 min · William Penn Highway
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38
Keep slight right to continue on Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi · 14 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
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39
Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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40
Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem
1149 ft · 22 sec
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41
Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route
1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route
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42
Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue
1208 ft · 33 sec
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43
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue
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44
Turn left onto West Union Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard
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45
Turn left onto Center Street
129 m · 11 sec · Center Street
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46
Turn right onto East Goepp Street
1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street
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47
Turn right onto Linden Street
17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
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48
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Union and Bethlehem.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Appalachian Thruway
Merge slight left onto Appalachian Thruway
29.2 mi · 00h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving South Union and Chance Rain Showers near Bethlehem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Union to Bethlehem?
The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Elysburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from South Union and 97.4 miles from Bethlehem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.9 miles (172 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.2 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.70 one way or $51.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around South Union and Chance Rain Showers 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 South Union and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 106.89 mi (172.03 km).
#1 South Union
Township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 10,106 |
| Coordinates | 41.5681300, -76.9988600 |
| Altitude | 552 |
| 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: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 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 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $28.93 | $57.86 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $31.16 | $62.32 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $37.61 | $75.23 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.