Origin
Blandon, PA
Morning in Blandon on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blandon, 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 29m
Distance
345.4 mi
556 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 18m
★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 54m
10 AM
6h 38m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blandon, PA
Gera Cejas
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Blandon, PA to Erie, PA is 345.4 miles and takes about 6h 29m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, traversing the northeastern part of the state. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and a local feel rather than a straight interstate shot. With a recommended one-day drive time, this option is good if you prefer to cover ground efficiently while still experiencing a varied journey.
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
172.7 miles from Blandon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 204 mi | 3h 39m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Pottsville Pike | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Continental Boulevard | 3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blandon, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Park Road
65 ft
·
9 sec
·
Park Road
2
Turn left onto PA 73
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on PA 73
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Lake Shore Drive
4
Turn right onto PA 61
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 4th Street
10
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
17
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
18
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
25
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
29
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
31
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
33
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 29m estimated drive time and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, consider an early morning departure from Blandon, PA, to maximize daylight. While this route is recommended for one day, the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is 204 miles, which could be a good point for a mid-drive break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move away from major highway corridors, and remember that the $57 fuel cost is an estimate. Factor in that the route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically.
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 172.7 miles from Blandon, PA, or about 3h 19m 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 76 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.7 miles or 3h 19m 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 21m
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 Blandon, 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 Blandon, PA
This is one driving day of about 345.4 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Blandon, 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
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.7 miles from Blandon, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 345 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Turn right onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
29.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
68 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
342.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 22m 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
345 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.26 one way
$114.53 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $62.72 | $125.43 |
| premium | $4.93 | $66.99 | $133.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.26 | $152.52 |
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
$57
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.27 | $16.58 |
| Efficient EV | 86.4 | 0 | $30.22 | $13.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.2 | 1 | $48.36 | $22.11 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Wellsville, NY
173 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
8 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 29m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 35.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 23% of the route on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time navigating local roads and shorter highway segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 204 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle in for a while. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that shifts between more open road sections and areas requiring more frequent adjustments.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near PA 61 / Pottsville Pike.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 345.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 68 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 29m. Total distance: 345.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m 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 3.5 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 68 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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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