Origin
Alburtis, PA
Morning in Alburtis on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alburtis, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 47m
Distance
357.1 mi
575 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 36m
★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 11m
10 AM
6h 56m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 57m
5 PM
7h 10m
8 PM
6h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alburtis, PA
Haneul Trac
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alburtis to Erie is 357.1 miles and takes about 6h 47m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast to the Northeast region, and is recommended as a single-day trip. While it involves some highway driving, a significant portion is on more winding local roads, so plan for a turn-heavy experience. Consider this route if you prefer a varied drive over a purely interstate journey, with a manageable fuel cost and a reasonable duration for a one-day adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.5 miles from Alburtis, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 204 mi | 3h 39m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| William Penn Highway | 15.3 mi | 18m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Independent Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alburtis, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on Spring Creek Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Spring Creek Road
4
Turn left onto PA 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 100
5
Turn right onto Weilers Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Weilers Road
6
Turn left onto Hamilton Boulevard
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Hamilton Boulevard
7
Enter roundabout onto Schantz Road
43 ft
·
0 sec
·
Schantz Road
8
Continue on Schantz Road
218 ft
·
7 sec
·
Schantz Road
9
Turn left onto PA 863
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Independent Road
10
Continue on PA 863
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Golden Key Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 78; US 22
15 mi
·
18 min
·
William Penn Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
15
Merge onto PA 61
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
18
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
19
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
20
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
22
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
23
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
25
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
26
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
27
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
28
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
29
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
30
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
34
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
35
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
36
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
38
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 47m duration, starting your drive from Alburtis in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a $59 fuel cost, this trip is quite manageable. The Keystone Shortway offers the longest stretch at 204 miles, so plan your breaks around that before the route shifts to I-79. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into more rural sections of the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spread out.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.5 miles from Alburtis, PA, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 79 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.5 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alburtis, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alburtis, PA
This is one driving day of about 357.1 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Alburtis, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 204 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.5 miles from Alburtis, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 9.2 and 356.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
9.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
7
24.7 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
24.8 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
6
354.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 40m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
6
356.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 46m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.20 one way
$118.41 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $64.84 | $129.68 |
| premium | $4.93 | $69.25 | $138.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.84 | $157.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.50 | $17.14 |
| Efficient EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.25 | $14.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.99 | $22.85 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Wellsville, NY
179 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 47m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 49.3
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mix of road types, with 22% of the route on highways. You'll experience a turn-heavy local drive profile for much of the 357.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 204 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway. Expect the character of the road to change as you progress, transitioning between faster highway sections and more intricate local roads, requiring your attention throughout the 6h 47m journey.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 357.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Alburtis, PA
Full guide →Founded 1857
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 47m. Total distance: 357.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Erie, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Erie, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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