Ambler, PA to Erie, PA is 402.8 miles and takes about 7h 32m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route cuts across Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the Northwest. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct, single-day trip across the state without too much fuss.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.4 miles from Ambler, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
256.6 mi
4h 37m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
64 mi
1h 9m
Morris Road
7.1 mi
13m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Sumneytown Pike
1.9 mi
4m
Valley Forge Road
1.4 mi
2m
East Butler Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,058 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,491
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ambler, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on South Ridge Avenue
33 ft·7 sec·South Ridge Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Butler Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Butler Avenue
3
Turn right onto Morris Road
7.1 mi·13 min·Morris Road
4
Turn right onto PA 363
1.4 mi·2 min·Valley Forge Road
5
Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike
1.9 mi·4 min·Sumneytown Pike
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 476 North: AllentownUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
12
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
14
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
16
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7.5-hour drive time, leaving Ambler in the morning is best to maximize daylight. You'll have two designated stops, so plan to take breaks roughly every 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent on some surface road sections. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a toll road, so be prepared for tolls along that portion.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.4 miles from Ambler, PA, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.6 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 89 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.4 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 23m
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 Ambler, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ambler, PA
This is one driving day of about 402.8 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Ambler, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 256.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 402.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.3 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 North: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
5
11.5 mi into trip|~23m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
6
399.8 mi into trip|~7h 25m 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
402.3 mi into trip|~7h 30m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.89 one way
$141.77 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$77.52
$155.03
premium
$5.23
$82.88
$165.75
diesel
$6.18
$97.99
$195.98
Estimated Tolls: $8.32
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(64 mi)$8.32
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
$71
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.8
1
$42.29
$19.33
Efficient EV
100.7
1
$35.25
$16.11
EV Truck/SUV
161.1
2
$56.39
$25.78
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ambler, PA
Late night
in Ambler on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Widespread Frost
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
65°F
Clearfield, PA
201 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
12 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
7h 32m 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.
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...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 32% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch without significant changes is 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll notice the transition from more developed areas to more rural cruising as you travel west. Be prepared for varying traffic patterns as you move between highway and local roads.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 402.8 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 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,536 ft217 ft
Total Climb
2,453 ft
Total Descent
2,017 ft
Highest Point
1,536 ft
~258.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,319 ft
Notable High Points
1,286 ft at ~86.3 miles+542 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ambler, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 402.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 256.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.32 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania 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.
Yes — we found about 40 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 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.
