Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Erie, PA to Center City, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 49m
Distance
421.7 mi
679 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 40m
★
6 AM
7h 49m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 54m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Center City, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Trip Overview
Erie to Center City, PA is 421.7 miles and takes about 7h 49m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and heading towards the same area for your destination. Given it's mostly surface roads, expect a more local feel with frequent stops and varied scenery rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for a full day of driving, as the 7h 49m duration doesn't account for any significant stops.
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
210.9 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 51m 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 |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| West 12th Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m
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
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 Erie, PA and Center City, 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 left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 76
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn right onto North 15th Street
471 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Race Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Race Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto North 12th Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
North 12th Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Ludlow Street
225 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ludlow Street
25
Arrive at destination
Ludlow Street
Trip Plan
For this 7h 49m drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night navigation. With only 2 recommended stops, you can be strategic about where you rest. Consider making your first stop around the halfway point to break up the 257.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the latter half of the trip, especially as you transition to surface roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major interstates. Budgeting around $75 for fuel should be sufficient for the 421.7-mile trip.
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 210.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 51m 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 93 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.9 miles or 3h 51m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center City, 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 421.7 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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
211 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 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 210.9 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Hickory Run Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Venango County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre 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
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Venango 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Hickory Run Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
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
Clarion Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 403.1 and 420.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
420 mi into trip
|
~7h 45m in
|
I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
420.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.58 one way
$149.16 round trip
$4.49/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $81.68 | $163.37 |
| premium | $5.24 | $87.06 | $174.13 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $88.82 | $177.65 |
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
$75
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$109–$134
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.28 | $20.24 |
| Efficient EV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.90 | $16.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.7 | 2 | $59.04 | $26.99 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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
Erie, PA
Evening in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
SW 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Center City, PA
Evening in Center City on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph
1% 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
5 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 49m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
$1
near mile 421.7
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 421.7
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 407.2
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 407.2
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 has a highway share of 22%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on a single highway is 257.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After this significant portion, you'll transition to surface roads, so be prepared for more traffic signals and potentially slower speeds. You'll notice the change from more open highway driving to navigating through towns and local communities.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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 403.1 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
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 20 significant decision points across 421.7 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 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; at 407 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,805 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
3,220 ft
Total Descent
3,854 ft
Highest Point
1,805 ft
~331.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,786 ft
Notable High Points
1,697 ft at ~241 miles
+853 ft prominence
1,805 ft at ~331.4 miles
+1,145 ft prominence
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 Center City, 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 →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
Arriving in Center City, PA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Rittenhouse Square — public park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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 49m. Total distance: 421.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m 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.
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 Center City, 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 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; at 407 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Center City, 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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