Erie to Hellertown is 370.4 miles and takes about 7h 3m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards the east. It's a route that primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive and two planned stops, it's a feasible trip for a single day if you're looking to get across the state without relying on major interstates.
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
185.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m 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
I 78
15.3 mi
19m
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
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 Hellertown, 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
15 mi·19 min·I 78
Toward I 78 East: New JerseyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 67Toward PA 412: Hellertown, BethlehemUse the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·31 sec·this road
Exit 67Toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
31
At end of road, turn left onto PA 412
373 ft·17 sec·Hellertown Road
32
Continue on PA 412
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
PA 412
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving early in the morning from Erie is advisable to maximize daylight. The route recommends two stops, so plan to break up the 370.4 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the Keystone Shortway, as services might be more spaced out on the surface roads. The estimated fuel cost is around $60, so budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day trip, flexibility with your stops is key.
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 185.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 23m 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 81 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.2 miles or 3h 23m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hellertown, 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 370.4 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 368.8 — 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
8
368.8 mi into trip|~6h 59m in
Take the exit toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward PA 412: Hellertown, Bethlehem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.51 one way
$131.01 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$71.75
$143.49
premium
$5.24
$76.47
$152.94
diesel
$5.35
$78.02
$156.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.1
1
$38.89
$17.78
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
EV Truck/SUV
148.2
1
$51.86
$23.71
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 May 10, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Evening
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 10 at 3:22AM EDT until May 10 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Hellertown, PA
Evening
in Hellertown on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°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
20 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 3m 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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 319.3
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 drive covers 370.4 miles, with only about 7% on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous driving on the Keystone Shortway, spanning 204.4 miles. After this, the route transitions to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move away from the limited highway segments.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 370.4 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,852 ft284 ft
Total Climb
3,271 ft
Total Descent
3,639 ft
Highest Point
1,852 ft
~158.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,568 ft
Notable High Points
1,770 ft at ~238.1 miles+829 ft prominence
1,152 ft at ~291 miles+607 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 Hellertown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Hellertown is a borough in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Smaller than the region's main municipalities, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Hellertown is located south of South Bethlehem. The two municipalities are separated by South Mountain, making Hellertown the perfect place to stay for visitors who want to be slightly removed from the city atmosphere.
Hellertown lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 13 miles (21 km) west of the Skylands and New Jersey state line, 57 miles (92 km) north of Philadelphia, and 82 miles (132 km) west of New York City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 370.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m 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 29 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 Hellertown, 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 29 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hellertown, PA before the return drive.
