Erie to Haverford is 412.6 miles and takes about 7h 40m via Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the southeast. Expect a drive that mostly sticks to surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience than a pure interstate dash. With a recommended single day of driving, this route is achievable for those looking to cover ground efficiently while still experiencing a good portion 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
206.3 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m 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
West Montgomery Avenue
4.3 mi
9m
Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Matsonford Road
0.9 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 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,058 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,491
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Haverford, 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 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft·12 sec
Exit 16BToward I 76 West: Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward ConshohockenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Matsonford Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Matsonford Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto PA 320
4.3 mi·9 min·West Montgomery Avenue
20
Turn left onto Woodside Road
525 ft·23 sec·Woodside Road
21
Turn left onto Winsor Lane
343 ft·18 sec·Winsor Lane
22
Turn left
10 ft·0 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 40m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Haverford. With two recommended stops, you can easily break up the 412.6 miles. The longest continuous driving segment is 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your first stop around the end of that stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $68, and it's always wise to top off when you see a good opportunity, especially on the non-highway portions.
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 206.3 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 47m 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 91 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.3 miles or 3h 47m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haverford, 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 412.6 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 407.1 — 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.
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 right at fork toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 76 West: Valley Forge
8
407.1 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Conshohocken
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Conshohocken
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.94 one way
$137.88 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$75.88
$151.75
premium
$5.01
$81.42
$162.83
diesel
$5.60
$90.95
$181.90
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
$69
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.8
1
$43.32
$19.80
Efficient EV
103.2
1
$36.10
$16.50
EV Truck/SUV
165
2
$57.76
$26.41
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Forecast as of Aug 18, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
W 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Haverford, PA
Late night
in Haverford on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny
NW 5 mph12% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Clearfield, PA
206 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
9 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 40m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 412.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 398.4
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 412.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only 19% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering 257.1 miles. After that, you'll transition to other main roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and the Raymond P Shafer Highway. Be prepared for more frequent stops and slower speeds as you move off the limited-access highways.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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 18 significant decision points across 412.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,638 ft319 ft
Total Climb
2,398 ft
Total Descent
2,732 ft
Highest Point
1,638 ft
~168 mi in
Elevation Range
1,319 ft
Notable High Points
1,603 ft at ~224 miles+628 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 Haverford, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Haverford Township is a region of Delaware County in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a western suburb of Philadelphia. About 50,000 people live in Haverford Township. It was founded by the Welsh Quakers in 1681 and purchased by William Penn.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 412.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m 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.
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 Haverford, 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. 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 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.
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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Haverford, PA before the return drive.
