Cementon to Erie is 351.9 miles and takes about 6h 41m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll encounter a route that is mostly surface roads, offering a more connected-to-the-ground driving experience rather than pure highway cruising. Plan for a single recommended day of travel, making this a feasible one-day excursion.
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
176 miles from Cementon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
236.1 mi
4h 14m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
PA 145
8.6 mi
11m
Lehigh Drive
7 mi
9m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
East Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
State Route 93
3.7 mi
7m
Hunter Street
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.1 mi, about 4h 14m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,466
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Cementon, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
1.3 mi·3 min·2nd Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
3
Merge onto PA 145
8.6 mi·11 min·PA 145
Use the straight lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
7.0 mi·9 min·Lehigh Drive
5
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
7
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
9
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
10
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
11
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
12
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·32 sec·Lehigh Street
13
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
14
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
15
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
16
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
17
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
18
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
19
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
20
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
21
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
22
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
23
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
24
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
25
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
27
Merge onto I 80
236 mi·4 hr 14 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
29
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
31
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 41m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to comfortably reach Erie within daylight hours. While only one stop is noted, consider adding a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially since much of the route is on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $57; it's always wise to top off before heading out. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 230 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too far into that segment.
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 176 miles from Cementon, PA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.1 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 77 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 3h 27m 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 33m
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 Cementon, 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 Cementon, PA
This is one driving day of about 351.9 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Cementon, 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 236.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 351.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|PA 145
Merge onto PA 145
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
17.1 mi into trip|~24m in|US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
21.3 mi into trip|~31m in|US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
348.9 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
351.5 mi into trip|~6h 40m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.11 one way
$112.22 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$62.10
$124.19
premium
$4.81
$66.61
$133.22
diesel
$4.80
$66.45
$132.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.6
1
$36.95
$16.89
Efficient EV
88
1
$30.79
$14.08
EV Truck/SUV
140.8
1
$49.27
$22.52
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cementon, PA
Late night
in Cementon on Monday
Local time
5:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Monday
Local time
5:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Smoke
W 1 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
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
5 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 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 22% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch on a highway is 236.1 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway. Expect to transition from highway driving to navigating through towns and rural areas, with frequent intersections and changes in speed limits.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.1 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 1.5 miles in near PA 145.
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 41m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (PA 145): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.1 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 41m. Total distance: 351.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (PA 145): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.1 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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.
