Origin
Erie, PA
Night in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Ardmore, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 42m
Distance
413.4 mi
665 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 33m
★
6 AM
7h 43m
8 AM
8h 2m
10 AM
7h 49m
12 PM
7h 47m
3 PM
7h 50m
5 PM
8h 1m
8 PM
7h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ardmore, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Erie to Ardmore is 413.4 miles and takes about 7h 42m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same state. Expect a journey that involves a fair amount of turning, making it more of a local drive feel than a straight shot. With just two recommended stops, it's manageable as a single-day adventure, but it's wise to be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path across the state with a varied driving experience.
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
206.7 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 257.1 mi | 4h 38m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 75.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| West Montgomery Avenue | 4.9 mi | 11m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| West 12th Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Matsonford Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Ardmore, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Greengarden Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Bayfront Parkway
5
Continue on I 79
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
7
Merge onto I 80
257 mi
·
4 hr 38 min
·
Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
11
Merge onto I 476; PATP
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 476; PATP
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Exit 20
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 476
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 16B
Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Conshohocken
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Matsonford Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Matsonford Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 320
4.9 mi
·
11 min
·
West Montgomery Avenue
20
Turn right onto Llanfair Road
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Llanfair Road
21
Turn right onto Church Road
327 ft
·
12 sec
·
Church Road
22
Turn right onto Sibley Avenue
414 ft
·
18 sec
·
Sibley Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Sibley Avenue
Trip Plan
To best tackle this 413.4-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure from Erie to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two stops. While it's designed as a one-day trip, keep an eye on the clock, especially as you approach Ardmore. The $69 fuel budget is an estimate, so monitor your gas gauge, particularly during the longer 257.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway where services might be less frequent. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, plan for your stops to include a break from frequent steering adjustments and a chance to refuel and stretch.
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 206.7 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.1 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 91 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.7 miles or 3h 47m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ardmore, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Erie, 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 Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 413.4 miles and 7h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Erie, 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 257.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
207 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 206.7 miles from Erie, 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 257.1 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 407.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m 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 lane.
7
403.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 21m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
406.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
407 mi into trip
|
~7h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
8
407.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Conshohocken
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Conshohocken
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.54 one way
$137.07 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
145 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $75.06 | $150.13 |
| premium | $4.93 | $80.17 | $160.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $91.27 | $182.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $9.76
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(75.1 mi)
$9.76
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
$69
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 124 | 1 | $43.41 | $19.84 |
| Efficient EV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.17 | $16.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 165.4 | 2 | $57.88 | $26.46 |
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Ardmore, PA
Night in Ardmore on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Cuba, NY
207 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
9 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 42m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$1
near mile 413.4
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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 413.4
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 399.1
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 413.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 19% of it being on highways. The majority of your journey will likely feel like navigating through towns and varied terrain, rather than a continuous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a more consistent pace before you transition back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for frequent adjustments and a dynamic driving experience throughout the 7h 42m trip.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 257.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 413.4 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 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 403.1 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 406.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Erie, PA and Ardmore, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
327 mi in
|
~5h 57m
Allentown
327 mi in
|
~5h 57m
About the Cities
Starting 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 7h 42m. Total distance: 413.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 42m 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 257.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.76 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.
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 Ardmore, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 403.1 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 406.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ardmore, 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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