The Cost of a Road Trip from Burkittsville, Maryland to Allentown, Pennsylvania

Traveling from Burkittsville, Maryland, to Allentown, Pennsylvania, is not a short trip, although the distance between the two is not particularly daunting. The two places are about 95 miles apart. There are multiple routes that one can take, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Regardless of the route you take, one thing to consider is the cost of the trip based on the current gas prices. At the current time, the average gas price in Maryland is $2.85 per gallon, while it is $2.96 per gallon in Pennsylvania.

Route 1: The Shortest Route

The shortest route from Burkittsville to Allentown is by taking Route 15 North until you reach Route 30 East in Gettysburg. Then, you can take US-15 Business North and merge onto US-15 North toward Harrisburg. From there, take exit 81 onto I-83/Harrisburg Expressway. After about 26 miles, merge onto I-81 North. After about five miles, take exit 74 toward PA-61/Heckscherville. Merge onto US-209 North and continue for another three miles. Finally, merge onto PA-443 East until you reach Allentown.

This route is only 95.5 miles long, but it will take nearly two hours to drive and is heavily dependent on traffic volume. The fuel cost for a one-way trip based on the average gas prices would be about $14.03.

Route 2: The Scenic Route

Another route from Burkittsville to Allentown is by taking Route 15 North until you reach Route 30 East in Gettysburg. Then, you can take US-15 Business North and merge onto US-15 North toward Harrisburg. From there, take exit 81 onto I-83/Harrisburg Expressway. After about 26 miles, merge onto I-81 North. After about 33 miles, take exit 72 toward PA-54/Mahanoy City. Follow PA-54 East and continue onto PA-61 North. Lastly, take I-78 East until you reach Allentown.

This route is more picturesque than the first and stretches a total of 132.3 miles, taking approximately three hours to drive. The fuel cost for a one-way trip based on the average gas prices would be about $19.50.

Route 3: The Interstate Route

The third route from Burkittsville to Allentown is by taking I-270 North toward Frederick. Merge onto I-70 West toward Hagerstown. Then, take exit 26 onto I-81 North and continue on that road 70 miles until you reach exit 72 toward PA-54/Mahanoy City. From there, follow PA-54 East and continue onto PA-61 North. Finally, take I-78 East until you reach Allentown.

This route is the fastest way to get from Burkittsville to Allentown, with a length of 146.6 miles and a travel time of around two hours and thirty minutes. The fuel cost for a one-way trip based on the average gas prices would be about $21.56.

Route 4: The Scenic Loop Route

A fourth option involves taking Route 17 West through Myersville until you reach Boonsboro. Then, take Route 34 (Alt) to US-11 North to Shippensburg. From there, take Route 997 North to I-81 North toward Harrisburg. Merge onto I-78 East and follow it all the way till you reach Allentown.

This route is the longest, but also the most scenic, with a length of 174 miles. The fuel cost for a one-way trip based on the average gas prices would be about $25.65.

Which Route to Take

Of all the routes outlined above, the shortest route, Route 1, is the most direct and takes the fastest amount of time, making it the most convenient for travel during peak traffic hours. If time is your biggest consideration, this route is the one to take. However, if you don't mind taking a longer route and want to enjoy a scenic drive, the second and fourth routes offer longer stretches of countryside drives.

Conclusion

The route you take from Burkittsville, Maryland, to Allentown, Pennsylvania, will heavily depend on your priorities, such as travel time or scenic views. The shortest route along Route 15 North offers the most direct and quickest option, while the other routes offer more scenic views and additional time for road trips. In the end, no matter which route you take, it's a drive that will be graced with beautiful scenery.