Origin
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
9:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Denver, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 52m
Distance
347.6 mi
559 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 41m
★
6 AM
6h 52m
8 AM
7h 15m
10 AM
7h 0m
12 PM
6h 58m
3 PM
7h 1m
5 PM
7h 14m
8 PM
6h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Denver, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Erie to Denver, PA is 347.6 miles and takes about 6h 52m via the Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a more local feel to this trip, with plenty of turns and a lower percentage of highway driving. Given the duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day journey, but the varied terrain means you'll want to keep an eye on your progress.
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
173.8 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 103.3 mi | 1h 50m |
| General Potter Highway | 75.6 mi | 1h 35m |
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 38.7 mi | 41m |
| 28th Division Highway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| Philipsburg Bigler Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Denver, 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
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
9
Merge onto PA 970
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 322
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodland Bigler Highway
11
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
12
Continue on US 322
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Front Street
13
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Centre Street
14
Turn left onto US 322
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Railroad Street
15
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
16
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Upper Flat Rock Road
17
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Flat Rock Road
18
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi
·
9 min
·
28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
21
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
76 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
General Potter Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
25
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
US 322
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Use the slight left lane.
28
Continue on I 283
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 283
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
30
Merge onto I 76; PATP
39 mi
·
41 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Use the slight right lane.
32
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
33
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
34
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
35
Turn left onto PA 272
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Reading Road
36
Turn right onto West Church Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Church Street
37
Continue on Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
38
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 7 hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure. Aim to leave early to maximize daylight, especially since the route involves a significant portion on local roads where progress might be slower. Plan for at least one stop to refuel and stretch, and be mindful of the $58 fuel cost estimate. Since the longest continuous stretch is just over 100 miles, you'll have opportunities to pull over frequently, but ensure you're aware of your surroundings when doing so on these local routes.
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 173.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 76 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.8 miles or 3h 11m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 347.6 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Erie, 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 103.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.8 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 103.3 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 208.9 and 342.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
208.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
7
293.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...
9
296.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
|
US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
8
300.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
7
342.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.63 one way
$115.26 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $63.12 | $126.23 |
| premium | $4.93 | $67.41 | $134.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.75 | $153.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.04
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(38.7 mi)
$5.04
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
$58
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.50 | $16.68 |
| Efficient EV | 86.9 | 0 | $30.42 | $13.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139 | 1 | $48.66 | $22.25 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Denver, PA
Morning in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
9:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Wellsville, NY
174 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
1 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
6h 52m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 323.7
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 287.7
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 16% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, which means a more engaging driving experience with frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a drive that requires consistent attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, offering a more intimate connection with the Pennsylvania landscape as you travel.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 208.9 miles in near US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 347.6 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 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.3 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.2 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Denver, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College, Hazleton, Carlisle and York.
Shawville
173.3 mi in
|
~3h 10m
State College
208.9 mi in
|
~3h 55m
|
via US 322
Hazleton
293.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
|
via US 322
Carlisle
293.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
|
via US 322
York
296.2 mi in
|
~5h 47m
|
via US 322
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).
Arriving in Denver, PA
Full guide →Founded 1863
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 6h 52m. Total distance: 347.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m 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 103.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.04 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.
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 Denver, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 293.3 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.2 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Denver, 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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