Erie to Fort Washington is 409.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m via the Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same state, also in the Northeast. Expect a route with a higher proportion of turns and local road driving rather than a straight interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive, it's best suited for those who enjoy a more varied road experience with plenty of opportunities to see different parts of the state.
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
204.8 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
257.1 mi
4h 38m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
4.6 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Pennsylvania Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
Fort Washington Avenue
0.3 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
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 Fort Washington, 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
Exit 339Toward PA 309: Philadelphia, AmblerUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward PA 309 South: Philadelphia, Fort Washington
16
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Fort Washington Avenue
0.3 mi·53 sec·Fort Washington Avenue
18
Turn left onto Spring Avenue
373 ft·21 sec·Spring Avenue
19
Turn left onto Washington Lane
31 ft·1 sec·Washington Lane
20
Arrive at destination
Washington Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 31m estimated duration, starting your drive from Erie early in the morning is advisable to comfortably reach Fort Washington within daylight hours. Plan for your two scheduled stops to break up the drive and refuel; consider making one of these stops during the 257.1-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway when you'll have the longest period without major directional changes. The fuel cost is estimated at $68, so ensure you have this budgeted. Being a one-day trip, flexibility is key, but pay close attention to navigation as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent adjustments are needed.
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 204.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 45m 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 90 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.8 miles or 3h 45m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Washington, 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 409.6 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 407.7 — 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.
6
328 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
402.8 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 276 East: New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276 East: New Jersey
8
407.7 mi into trip|~7h 26m in
Take the exit toward PA 309: Philadelphia, Ambler
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 339
Toward PA 309: Philadelphia, Ambler
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.44 one way
$144.88 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$79.34
$158.68
premium
$5.24
$84.56
$169.13
diesel
$5.35
$86.27
$172.55
Estimated Tolls: $10.29
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(79.2 mi)$10.29
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
$72
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.9
1
$43.01
$19.66
Efficient EV
102.4
1
$35.84
$16.38
EV Truck/SUV
163.8
2
$57.34
$26.21
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Washington, PA
Afternoon
in Fort Washington on Wednesday
Local time
3:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 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
4 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 31m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 395.5
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$1
near mile 409.6
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 409.6
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 409.6
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,' indicating you'll encounter frequent changes in direction and likely navigate through various towns and smaller highways. While 19% of the journey is on highways, much of the 409.6 miles will involve more intricate navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 257.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of more consistent driving before transitioning back to the more complex sections. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires active engagement with the road and its many turns.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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 Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 409.6 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 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 328 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,743 ft230 ft
Total Climb
2,214 ft
Total Descent
2,636 ft
Highest Point
1,743 ft
~175.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,513 ft
Notable High Points
1,244 ft at ~321.8 miles+567 ft prominence
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 Fort Washington, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Fort Washington is a community in Upper Dublin Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is considered a suburb of Philadelphia.
This article also covers the neighboring communities of Ambler, Spring House, and Flourtown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 409.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m 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 $10.29 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 Fort Washington, 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 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 328 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Washington, PA before the return drive.
