Traveling from Erie to Nazareth covers 360.1 miles across Pennsylvania, typically taking about 6 hours and 56 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent environment as you traverse the state. A budget of approximately $60 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, the nearly seven-hour duration makes it a long haul behind the wheel. We recommend planning for at least one stop to break up the travel time, ensuring you arrive at your destination refreshed rather than exhausted.
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
180 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
236.3 mi
4h 14m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
PA 248
19.4 mi
29m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
West Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
State Route 93
3.7 mi
7m
Bath Pike
3.5 mi
6m
Hunter Street
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Nazareth, 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
236 mi·4 hr 14 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
9
Keep slight right at fork
444 ft·11 sec
10
Turn straight onto PA 93
0.6 mi·57 sec·Berwick Hazleton Highway
11
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
12
Continue on PA 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Valmont Parkway
13
Continue on PA 93
1.9 mi·2 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·43 sec·North Broad Street
15
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
3.8 mi·4 min·West Broad Street
16
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
17
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
18
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
19
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
20
Continue on PA 93
523 ft·13 sec·Hudson Drive
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
22
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·24 sec·Lehigh Avenue
23
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·39 sec·Lehigh Street
24
Turn left onto US 209
0.3 mi·34 sec·Susquehanna Street
25
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
26
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
27
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·North First Street
28
Continue on US 209
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bankway Street
29
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·East Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto PA 248
19 mi·29 min·PA 248
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto West Northampton Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Northampton Street
32
Continue on PA 248
3.5 mi·6 min·Bath Pike
33
Continue on PA 248
0.7 mi·1 min·Easton Road
34
Turn left onto PA 191
0.5 mi·48 sec·South Broad Street
35
Arrive at destination
PA 191
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 360.1-mile trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic buildup later in the day. Since the route involves a technical local drive toward the end, plan your single designated stop for the latter half of the trip to reset your focus before tackling the turns on PA 248. Keep your fuel budget of $60 in mind when choosing where to refill, as prices can fluctuate between the highway corridors and local roads. Because this is a long, single-day endeavor, remain flexible with your timeline if weather or road conditions change. Prioritize regular stretches to maintain your alertness during the long 236.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway.
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 180 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180 miles or 3h 17m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nazareth, 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 360.1 miles and 6h 56m.
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 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 236.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 306.5 — 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
306.3 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
5
306.5 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.70 one way
$119.40 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$65.39
$130.77
premium
$4.93
$69.84
$139.67
diesel
$5.61
$79.51
$159.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108
1
$37.81
$17.28
Efficient EV
90
1
$31.51
$14.40
EV Truck/SUV
144
1
$50.41
$23.05
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
8:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nazareth, PA
Morning
in Nazareth on Sunday
Local time
8:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, 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
8 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
6h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience as you transition from high-speed transit to more technical driving. You will spend a significant portion of your journey on the Keystone Shortway and the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, which account for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 236.3 miles, offering a steady flow before the route shifts character. With a highway share of only 7 percent, the final leg of your trip turns into a more involved, turn-heavy local drive. Navigating the final segments on PA 248 requires more focus than the earlier interstate portions, so be prepared for a change in pace as you approach Nazareth.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 56m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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.
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 Nazareth, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Nescopeck along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 56m. Total distance: 360.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Nazareth, 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. 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nazareth, PA before the return drive.
