Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Chalfont, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 27m
Distance
396.9 mi
639 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 17m
★
6 AM
7h 27m
8 AM
7h 48m
10 AM
7h 34m
12 PM
7h 32m
3 PM
7h 35m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chalfont, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 396.9-mile journey from Chalfont, PA, to Erie, PA, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 27 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $66 and planned stops, you'll navigate through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. This drive is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
198.5 miles from Chalfont, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m 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 | 54.2 mi | 58m |
| Sellersville Bypass | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Ridge Valley Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Bethlehem Pike | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| New Galena Road | 1.2 mi | 3m |
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
~1,084 veh/hr typical · worst 1,463
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Chalfont, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Park Avenue
153 ft
·
8 sec
·
Park Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 152
211 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto Sunset Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunset Avenue
4
Continue on Railroad Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
5
Turn right onto Barry Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Barry Road
6
Continue on New Galena Road
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
New Galena Road
7
Continue on New Galena Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
New Galena Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto Hilltown Pike
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Hilltown Pike
9
Turn right onto PA 309
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethlehem Pike
10
Continue on PA 309
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Sellersville Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PA 563: Perkasie
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Lawn Avenue
13
Turn left onto PA 563
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Ridge Road
14
Turn right onto Ridge Valley Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Ridge Valley Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto Allentown Road
507 ft
·
10 sec
·
Allentown Road
16
Continue on Finland Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Finland Road
17
Continue on Upper Ridge Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Upper Ridge Road
18
Turn right onto Old Woods Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Old Woods Road
19
Turn left
115 ft
·
10 sec
20
Turn right onto I 476; PATP
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
24
Merge onto I 80
257 mi
·
4 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
26
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
28
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 27-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Chalfont to maximize daylight and allow for two planned stops. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway means you'll want to be mindful of fuel levels before entering that segment. While it's manageable in one day, splitting it isn't necessary if you're comfortable with longer driving days. Keep an eye on your fuel cost, estimated at $66, and plan your refueling accordingly to avoid any surprises.
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 198.5 miles from Chalfont, PA, or about 3h 48m 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 87 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 3h 48m 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 18m
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 Chalfont, 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 Chalfont, PA
This is one driving day of about 396.9 miles and 7h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Chalfont, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.5 miles from Chalfont, 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 256.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Venango County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Venango County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Zachrich Trucking Inc
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hickory Run Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hickory Run Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.3 mi from route
Clarion Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Blue Ridge Travel Plaza
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 10.3 and 396.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward PA 563: Perkasie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 563: Perkasie
6
15.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Turn right onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
393.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 19m 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
396.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 25m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.29 one way
$126.57 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $70.04 | $140.07 |
| premium | $4.81 | $75.13 | $150.26 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $74.94 | $149.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $7.04
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(54.2 mi)
$7.04
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
$63
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.67 | $19.05 |
| Efficient EV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.73 | $15.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.8 | 1 | $55.57 | $25.40 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Origin
Chalfont, PA
Late night in Chalfont on Monday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night in Erie on Monday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 1 to 7 mph
0% chance
Live 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
2 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 27m 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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$1
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
24 mi from route
~60 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?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 30% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 256.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing a substantial period of consistent travel. While segments will feel like a traditional interstate experience, the overall profile suggests a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress toward Erie. This variety means you won't be stuck in a monotonous drive for the entire 7.5 hours.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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?
7/10
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 10.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 396.9 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,666 ft
282 ft
Total Climb
2,601 ft
Total Descent
2,231 ft
Highest Point
1,666 ft
~198.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,384 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Chalfont, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Mount Pocono
69.6 mi in
|
~1h 27m
About the Cities
Starting in Chalfont, PA
Full guide →Founded 1683
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
- • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
- • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania
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 7h 27m. Total distance: 396.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 27m 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 $7.04 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 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. 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 14.9 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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