Erie to Emerald Lakes is 348.4 miles and takes about 6h 26m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a local drive with frequent turns, so it's not a straightforward interstate cruise. Plan for a single recommended day, making it a manageable, albeit busy, one-day adventure. It’s a good option if you’re looking to experience more of the state’s local roads rather than just highways.
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
174.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
273.6 mi
4h 57m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Long Pond Road
1.7 mi
4m
I 380
1.7 mi
1m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
PA 940
0.2 mi
<1m
West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 273.6 mi, about 4h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Emerald Lakes, 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
274 mi·4 hr 57 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 293Toward I 380 North, PA 940 Truck East: Scranton
9
Continue on I 380
1.7 mi·1 min·I 380
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward 940: Pocono Pines, Mt Pocono
11
Turn left onto PA 940
0.1 mi·14 sec·PA 940
12
Turn straight onto PA 940
0.1 mi·18 sec·PA 940
13
Turn left onto Long Pond Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Long Pond Road
14
Continue on Long Pond Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Long Pond Road
15
Turn left onto Emerald Boulevard
494 ft·29 sec·Emerald Boulevard
16
At end of road, turn left onto Clearview Drive
77 ft·3 sec·Clearview Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Clearview Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour-plus duration and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, consider an early morning departure from Erie to maximize daylight. While this route is recommended for a single day, you'll want to pace yourself with stops. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 270 miles, so plan a break before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition between main roads, and remember that local roads can sometimes have fewer services. A good tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is fully charged and functioning, as frequent turns make it easy to miss a direction.
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 174.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 273.6 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 77 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.2 miles or 3h 12m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Emerald Lakes, 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 348.4 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 273.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 174.2 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 273.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 348.4 — 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.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|Greengarden Boulevard
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in|West Bayfront Parkway
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
Navigation decision point
6
343.6 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 380 North, PA 940 Truck East: Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North, PA 940 Truck East: Scranton
6
348.4 mi into trip|~6h 26m in|Clearview Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Clearview Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.76 one way
$115.52 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$63.26
$126.52
premium
$4.93
$67.57
$135.14
diesel
$5.61
$76.92
$153.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.9 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
104.5
1
$36.58
$16.72
Efficient EV
87.1
0
$30.48
$13.94
EV Truck/SUV
139.4
1
$48.78
$22.30
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Emerald Lakes, PA
Morning
in Emerald Lakes on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
4 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
6h 26m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$10
near mile 348.4
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. With a highway share of only 1 (meaning it's predominantly not highway driving), you'll be navigating local roads for most of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 273.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a good period of consistent travel within this otherwise winding route. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation and road conditions.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 273.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 26m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 348.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m 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 273.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Emerald Lakes, 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 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Emerald Lakes, PA before the return drive.
