Canadensis, PA to Erie, PA is 356.3 miles and takes about 6h 40m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive spans across Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region of the state to the same region in the northwest. The profile suggests a trip primarily on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-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
178.2 miles from Canadensis, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
273 mi
4h 56m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Peterson Road
4.3 mi
8m
Paradise Valley Road
3 mi
5m
PA 940
2.6 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
I 380
1.9 mi
2m
PA 390
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 273 mi, about 4h 56m
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 Canadensis, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 447
142 ft·9 sec·PA 447
2
Continue on PA 390
4.3 mi·8 min·Peterson Road
3
Continue on PA 390
1.3 mi·2 min·PA 390
4
At end of road, turn right onto PA 940
3.0 mi·5 min·Paradise Valley Road
5
Turn right onto PA 611; PA 940
337 ft·10 sec·Pocono Boulevard
6
Turn left onto PA 940
2.6 mi·4 min·PA 940
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 380
1.9 mi·2 min·I 380
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: Hazleton
10
Merge onto I 80
273 mi·4 hr 56 min·Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
12
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
14
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 40m estimated drive time and 356.3 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart Canadensis in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since much of the route is on surface roads. Plan for your single recommended stop to be around the halfway point or a bit further to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, as surface roads can sometimes have fewer services than interstates, so topping off before you leave the Keystone Shortway might be a good idea.
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 178.2 miles from Canadensis, PA, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 273 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 78 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.2 miles or 3h 23m 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 32m
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 Canadensis, 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 Canadensis, PA
This is one driving day of about 356.3 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Canadensis, 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 273 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 355.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.6 mi into trip|~10m in|PA 940 / Paradise Valley Road
At end of road, turn right onto PA 940 / Paradise Valley Road
Navigation decision point
6
13.4 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
6
353.3 mi into trip|~6h 33m 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
5
353.6 mi into trip|~6h 34m in|PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
355.9 mi into trip|~6h 39m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.23 one way
$124.45 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$68.13
$136.26
premium
$5.20
$72.89
$145.77
diesel
$6.28
$88.04
$176.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Canadensis, PA
Evening
in Canadensis on Thursday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
N 0 to 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
Evening
in Erie on Thursday
Local time
8:43 PM
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
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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 40m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$10
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 20% of the drive on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 273 miles on the Keystone Shortway, likely transitioning from highway to surface roads at some point. Be prepared for a significant portion of your travel time to be on local roads, which can mean more traffic signals and lower speed limits.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 273 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near PA 940 / Paradise Valley Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 40m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (PA 940 / Paradise Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 353.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 356.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m 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 273 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 39 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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. There are 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (PA 940 / Paradise Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 353.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
