Erie to Ferndale is 380.5 miles and takes about 7h 22m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, beginning in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. Expect a trip dominated by surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. Given the duration and road type, plan for a full day of driving. This route is best suited for those who prefer a less highway-intensive experience and want to see more of the towns along the way.
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
190.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
204.4 mi
3h 39m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
William Penn Highway
21.6 mi
26m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
I 78
9.1 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204.4 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,074 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,411
Quietest
2 AM
~183 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 Erie, PA and Ferndale, 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
204 mi·3 hr 39 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
9
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
10
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
12
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
13
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
15
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
16
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
17
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
18
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
19
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
20
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
21
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
22
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
23
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
24
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Centre Street
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
27
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi·26 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
9.1 mi·12 min·I 78
Toward I 78 East: New JerseyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit onto PA 309
3.4 mi·5 min·PA 309
Exit 60Toward PA 309 South: QuakertownUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn left onto Passer Road
379 ft·15 sec·Passer Road
31
Turn left onto Flint Hill Road
0.6 mi·59 sec·Flint Hill Road
32
Turn straight onto Taylor Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·Taylor Drive
33
Continue on Apples Church Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Apples Church Road
34
Turn right onto PA 412
2.0 mi·2 min·Leithsville Road
35
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 412
0.6 mi·55 sec·Hellertown Road
36
At end of road, turn left onto PA 212; PA 412
1.5 mi·2 min·Main Street
37
Continue on PA 212; PA 412
0.4 mi·31 sec·Durham Road
38
Turn right onto PA 412
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
39
Continue on PA 412
1.4 mi·2 min·Harrow Road
40
Continue on PA 412
1.3 mi·2 min·Durham Road
41
Turn left onto Church Hill Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Church Hill Road
42
Turn sharp right onto PA 611
49 ft·1 sec·Easton Road
43
Arrive at destination
PA 611
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to allow ample time for breaks. With only 2 recommended stops, you can plan them strategically, perhaps one around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition away from the highway sections where services might be less frequent. The longest stretch of 204.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway means you can cover a significant distance before needing to navigate more local roads. Given the 380.5-mile distance, it's manageable in one day, but breaking it up would offer a more relaxed pace.
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 190.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.4 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 84 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.2 miles or 3h 28m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferndale, 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 380.5 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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 204.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 362.6 — 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
7
353.6 mi into trip|~6h 39m in|I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 toward I 78 East: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 78 East: New Jersey
7
362.6 mi into trip|~6h 52m in|PA 309
Take the exit onto PA 309 toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 60
Toward PA 309 South: Quakertown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.29 one way
$134.58 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$73.70
$147.41
premium
$5.24
$78.56
$157.11
diesel
$5.35
$80.14
$160.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.2
1
$39.95
$18.26
Efficient EV
95.1
1
$33.29
$15.22
EV Truck/SUV
152.2
1
$53.27
$24.35
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ferndale, PA
Afternoon
in Ferndale on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
0 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
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
7h 22m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 314.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route consists of about 6% highway driving, with the majority on surface roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 204.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to more local routes. The shift from highway to surface roads means you'll encounter more traffic lights and varied speed limits as you pass through communities. This change in road type is noticeable as you leave the more direct highway sections.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 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 23 significant decision points across 380.5 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,041 ft286 ft
Total Climb
2,529 ft
Total Descent
2,896 ft
Highest Point
2,041 ft
~163.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,755 ft
Notable High Points
1,266 ft at ~298.9 miles+627 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 Erie, PA to Ferndale, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 22m. Total distance: 380.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m 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 204.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Ferndale, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ferndale, PA before the return drive.
