Embarking on this 417.8-mile journey from Drexel Hill, PA, to Erie, PA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 47 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via I-79, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and the Keystone Shortway, offering a mixed driving experience across the heart of Pennsylvania. With a projected fuel cost of $69 and a plan for two stops, this route is manageable for a single day, though breaking it up is an option if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This drive takes you from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to its own northern reaches.
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
208.9 miles from Drexel Hill, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
256.6 mi
4h 37m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi
1h 21m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Mid-County Expressway
10.8 mi
14m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
West Chester Pike
2.2 mi
4m
North Lansdowne Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
Garrett Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 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
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 Drexel Hill, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on this road
236 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn right
143 ft·15 sec
3
Turn left onto Garrett Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Garrett Road
4
Turn left onto North Lansdowne Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·North Lansdowne Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Darby Road
471 ft·13 sec·Darby Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Turn slight left onto PA 3
2.2 mi·4 min·West Chester Pike
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth MeetingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
14
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
16
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
18
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Drexel Hill to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With two planned stops, you can break up the 417.8 miles effectively, perhaps around the halfway point or near the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 256.6-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $69 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected detours or increased consumption.
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 208.9 miles from Drexel Hill, PA, or about 3h 57m 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 92 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.9 miles or 3h 57m 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 38m
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 Drexel Hill, 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 Drexel Hill, PA
This is one driving day of about 417.8 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Drexel Hill, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 417.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|North Lansdowne Avenue
Turn left onto North Lansdowne Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
90.5 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
414.8 mi into trip|~7h 40m 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
417.4 mi into trip|~7h 45m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.62 one way
$133.24 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$73.72
$147.45
premium
$4.81
$79.09
$158.17
diesel
$4.80
$78.89
$157.78
Estimated Tolls: $9.75
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75 mi)$9.75
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
$67
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.3
1
$43.87
$20.05
Efficient EV
104.5
1
$36.56
$16.71
EV Truck/SUV
167.1
2
$58.49
$26.74
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Drexel Hill, PA
Night
in Drexel Hill on Saturday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
N 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 1 to 7 mph0% 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
2 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
7h 47m 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.
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...
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 14.4
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 trip presents a mixed drive profile, with 36% of your journey on highways. You'll experience a significant continuous stretch of 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While I-79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension provide efficient travel, the overall character suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress through the state. Expect a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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 0.6 miles in near North Lansdowne Avenue.
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 15 significant decision points across 417.8 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 0.6 miles (North Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,713 ft242 ft
Total Climb
3,646 ft
Total Descent
3,235 ft
Highest Point
1,713 ft
~89.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,471 ft
Notable High Points
1,713 ft at ~89.5 miles+1,000 ft prominence
1,649 ft at ~179.1 miles+840 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 Drexel Hill, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 47m. Total distance: 417.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m 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 $9.75 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 0.6 miles (North Lansdowne Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
