How far is State College, PA from Bethlehem, PA?

The driving distance from State College, PA to Bethlehem, PA is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.9 miles (210.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
171.79 mi
02h 57m
Flight
130.9 mi
210.66 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from State College.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.9 mi
Kilometers
210.66 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.79 mi
Kilometers
276.47 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bethlehem
Thu, Apr 23, 5:15 AM EDT
Return by in State College
Thu, Apr 23, 8:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave State College
2026-04-23T02:18
Arrive Bethlehem
Thu, Apr 23, 5:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in State College
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Reed
PA

Township in western Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

From State College
85.9 mi
01h 28m
To Bethlehem
85.9 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between State College and Bethlehem.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between State College and Bethlehem.

  1. 1

    Start on South Allen Street

    24 m · 7 sec · South Allen Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Beaver Avenue

    3024 ft · 2 min · East Beaver Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto High Street

    157 m · 18 sec · High Street

  4. 4

    Continue on East College Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East College Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left

    2403 ft · 59 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Mount Nittany Expressway

    1802 ft · 28 sec · Mount Nittany Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

    1283 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

    63.4 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Keystone Shortway

  11. 11

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

    1080 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Turn slight left

    24 m · 3 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Continental Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Factory Street

    716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

    1799 ft · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Elysburg Road

    9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road

  17. 17

    Continue on State Route 54

    11.1 mi · 13 min · State Route 54

  18. 18

    Continue on Locust Gap Highway

    1897 ft · 42 sec · Locust Gap Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Fairgrounds Road

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Sunbury Road

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Sunbury Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Sunbury Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Pottsville Minersville Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Gordon Nagle Trail

    4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Nagle Trail

  24. 24

    Continue on North Sillyman Street

    1281 ft · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Pottsville Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Pottsville Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Route 61 South

    150 m · 6 sec · Route 61 South

  27. 27

    Continue on Center Avenue

    10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue

  28. 28

    Continue on Centre Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Centre Street

  29. 29

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

    1423 ft · 40 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway

    21.6 mi · 27 min · William Penn Highway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on Lehigh Valley Thruway

    10.3 mi · 14 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 378 South: Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road

    1072 ft · 26 sec

  33. 33

    Keep slight right to continue on PA 378 South: Bethlehem

    1149 ft · 22 sec

  34. 34

    Continue on Bethlehem Spur Route

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Bethlehem Spur Route

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward Eighth Avenue

    1208 ft · 33 sec

  36. 36

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue

    620 ft · 22 sec · 8th Avenue

  37. 37

    Turn left onto West Union Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · West Union Boulevard

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Center Street

    129 m · 11 sec · Center Street

  39. 39

    Turn right onto East Goepp Street

    1342 ft · 50 sec · East Goepp Street

  40. 40

    Turn right onto Linden Street

    17 m · 1 sec · Linden Street

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Linden Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between State College and Bethlehem.

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
41 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Keystone Shortway
63.4 mi · 37%
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi · 13%
I 99 North
11.9 mi · 7%
State Route 54
11.1 mi · 6%
Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 6%
Lehigh Valley Thruway
10.3 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Keystone Shortway

Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

63.4 mi · 01h 08m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.9 mi
130.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Reed
01h 28m from State College
Leave By
12:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving State College and Sunny near Bethlehem.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from State College to Bethlehem?

The road trip is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?

Reed is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from State College and 85.9 miles from Bethlehem.

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

The direct path is about 130.9 miles (210.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 12:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.76 one way or $49.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around State College and Sunny near Bethlehem.

Stop Ideas Near Reed

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

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

RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

72 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
BUS

Wilkes-Barre, PA

73 mi away
47 South Washington Street
RAIL

Middletown

76 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street
BUS

White Haven, PA

78 mi away
I-476, Exit 95/I-80, Exit 277, at Hwy 940

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between State College and Bethlehem. Straight-line distance: 130.9 mi (210.66 km).

State College

#1 State College

The largest city in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Population41,366
Coordinates40.7933900, -77.8600000
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Bethlehem

#2 Bethlehem

The second most populous city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Population74,892
Coordinates40.6259300, -75.3704600
Altitude109
CountryUnited States
Start: South Allen Street (-77.860134, 40.793288)
End: Linden Street (-75.370434, 40.625929)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.06 gal
22.95 L · about $24.76
Round trip
$49.52
12.12 gal · 45.9 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.7 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $24.76 $49.52
Mid-grade $4.60 $27.87 $55.74
Premium $4.95 $30.02 $60.04
Diesel $5.98 $36.24 $72.48

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 State College and Bethlehem. The current time is 02:18:29.

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.