This 359.5-mile journey from Erie, PA, to Hemlock Farms, PA, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 7 hours and 11 minutes to complete. You'll spend most of your time on major expressways, with a 94% highway share, making it a straightforward drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $60. This route focuses heavily on highway travel, offering a direct path through the Northeast region. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive comfortably and arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
179.8 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~527 veh/hr typical
· worst 690
Quietest
2 AM
~31 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Hemlock Farms, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·State Street
2
Turn left onto East 8th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East 8th Street
3
Turn right onto East Bayfront Parkway
0.3 mi·44 sec·East Bayfront Parkway
4
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi·7 min·Bayfront Connector
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on PA 290; PA 430
1.0 mi·1 min·Station Road
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
4.1 mi·4 min·AMVETS Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Exit 37Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
9
Continue on I 86
7.0 mi·8 min·Hopkins-Bowser Highway
10
Continue on I 86; NY 17
249 mi·4 hr 50 min·Southern Tier Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84
30 mi·35 min·I 84
Toward I 84 East: Milford
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward PA 739: Lords Valley , Dingmans Ferry
16
Turn right onto PA 739
1.6 mi·3 min·PA-739
17
Turn right onto Forest Drive
1.0 mi·3 min·Forest Drive
18
Turn right onto Hickory Drive
0.2 mi·43 sec·Hickory Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Hickory Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Erie to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. The longest stretch without a major road change is 249.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, so plan a fuel and rest break before or around the halfway point of that segment. Keeping your fuel tank topped up is always a good idea on longer highway stretches. Given the 94% highway share, you can anticipate relatively quick progress, but always be mindful of posted speed limits and traffic conditions, especially as you approach your destination in Hemlock Farms.
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 179.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.5 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 79 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.8 miles or 3h 35m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hemlock Farms, 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 359.5 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 249.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 356.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 86 East: Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 37
Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
7
268.3 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
321.6 mi into trip|~6h 22m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
5
326.1 mi into trip|~6h 27m in|I 84
Keep slight left at fork onto I 84 toward I 84 East: Milford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 84 East: Milford
5
356.4 mi into trip|~7h 2m in
Take the exit toward PA 739: Lords Valley , Dingmans Ferry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 739: Lords Valley , Dingmans Ferry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.58 one way
$127.16 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$69.64
$139.27
premium
$5.24
$74.22
$148.44
diesel
$5.35
$75.72
$151.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.75
$17.26
Efficient EV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
EV Truck/SUV
143.8
1
$50.33
$23.01
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 29, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
W 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
Hemlock Farms, PA
Afternoon
in Hemlock Farms on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
W 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 29 at 3:43PM EDT until May 30 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
69°F
South Bristol, NY
180 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 11m 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,...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$10
near mile 359.5
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 94% of the drive taking place on interstates. The Southern Tier Expressway will be your primary road for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 249.5 miles. While primarily interstate, the route does involve transitions between major highways like I-81 and I-84. This character means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and efficient travel, though it emphasizes direct transit over winding scenic byways.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 249.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 359.5 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,756 ft653 ft
Total Climb
2,116 ft
Total Descent
1,396 ft
Highest Point
1,756 ft
~154.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,104 ft
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 Hemlock Farms, PA, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 359.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 249.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Hemlock Farms, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hemlock Farms, PA before the return drive.
