Erie to Lorane is 355.6 miles and takes about 6h 46m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. With a single recommended day for the drive, it's set up as a manageable one-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, making it a good option if you prefer a more scenic, less highway-intensive experience. This route is best suited for travelers looking for a straightforward drive through familiar territory.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.8 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
204.4 mi
3h 39m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204.4 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,044 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,440
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Lorane, 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
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
26
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
27
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on PA 61
1.2 mi·2 min·North 4th Street
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222 BUS
273 ft·4 sec·South 4th Street
35
Continue on US 222 Business
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bingaman Street
36
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
37
Merge onto US 422
4.1 mi·5 min·West Shore Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on US 422
0.7 mi·1 min·Perkiomen Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn right onto Lorane Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Lorane Road
40
Turn left onto Oak Street
311 ft·15 sec·Oak Street
41
Turn right onto Charles Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Charles Street
42
Arrive at destination
Willow Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 46m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours. While the total distance is manageable for a single day, you have one designated stop, suggesting you might want to plan your break strategically. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 200 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment. Since this route primarily uses surface roads, be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more local traffic as you approach your destination in Lorane.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 15m 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 78 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.8 miles or 3h 15m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lorane, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 355.6 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Erie, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break 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 349.5 — 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
5
274.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
6
349.5 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
Take the ramp toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.10 one way
$124.21 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$68.00
$136.00
premium
$5.20
$72.74
$145.49
diesel
$6.28
$87.86
$175.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.7
1
$37.34
$17.07
Efficient EV
88.9
1
$31.12
$14.22
EV Truck/SUV
142.2
1
$49.78
$22.76
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Lorane, PA
Afternoon
in Lorane on Saturday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 46m 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 318.8
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 355.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a highway share of 3, meaning the majority of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest stretch on a single highway is 204.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads after this significant segment. Expect a driving experience characterized by varied road types, likely with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits once you leave the primary highway.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 355.6 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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
1,620 ft205 ft
Total Climb
2,124 ft
Total Descent
2,572 ft
Highest Point
1,620 ft
~127 mi in
Elevation Range
1,416 ft
Notable High Points
1,369 ft at ~304.8 miles+896 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 Lorane, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 355.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m 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 Lorane, 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 1 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 and Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lorane, PA before the return drive.
