Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Erie, PA to Palmdale, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 13m

Distance

314.4 mi

506 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 1m ★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Palmdale, PA, PA

Palmdale, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 314.4-mile journey from Erie to Palmdale, Pennsylvania, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $52, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Northeast region. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway, General Potter Highway, and Raymond P Shafer Highway, offering a varied driving experience. Given the duration and the nature of the drive, planning for a single day is feasible, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This trip offers a good balance of travel time and exploration within 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

157.2 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 103.3 mi 1h 50m
General Potter Highway 75.6 mi 1h 35m
Raymond P Shafer Highway 66.8 mi 1h 11m
American Legion Memorial Highway 12.6 mi 15m
28th Division Highway 8.6 mi 9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway 7.1 mi 8m
Mount Nittany Expressway 6.2 mi 8m
Port Matilda Highway 5.9 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Palmdale, 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

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
9

Merge onto PA 970

1.4 mi · 1 min · Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto US 322

2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway
11

Continue on US 322

7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway
12

Continue on US 322

0.3 mi · 23 sec · North Front Street
13

Continue on US 322; PA 53

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Centre Street
14

Turn left onto US 322

1.1 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
15

Continue on US 322

5.9 mi · 8 min · Port Matilda Highway
16

Turn slight right onto US 322

2.2 mi · 3 min · Upper Flat Rock Road
17

Continue on US 322

1.8 mi · 2 min · Flat Rock Road
18

Continue on US 322

8.6 mi · 9 min · 28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

6.2 mi · 8 min · Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73 Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
21

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

76 mi · 1 hr 35 min · General Potter Highway
23

Take the exit onto US 322

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto US 322

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
25

Merge onto I 81; US 322

1.8 mi · 2 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
26

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

11 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 80 Toward Grantville, Hershey
28

Turn straight onto Bow Creek Road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Bow Creek Road
29

Continue on Laudermilch Road

3.9 mi · 6 min · Laudermilch Road
Use the left lane.
30

Continue on PA 743

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Old Laudermilch Road
31

Continue on PA 743

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Laudermilch Road
32

Turn left onto Gravel Road

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Gravel Road
33

Turn straight onto North Lingle Avenue

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Lingle Avenue
34

Turn right onto US 422

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Chocolate Avenue
35

Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue

80 ft · 3 sec · Roosevelt Avenue
36

Arrive at destination

Roosevelt Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 13-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Erie to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the single recommended stop. The $52 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a single-day excursion, flexibility is key; adjust your pace based on how you feel. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning off the Keystone Shortway, as the road character shifts significantly and you'll be navigating more local segments.

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 157.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 69 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 157.2 miles or 2h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmdale, 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 314.4 miles and 6h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 103.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough of Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clearfield, PA

157 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Joy, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.2 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 293.3 — 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.
6
205 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | I 99; US 220; US 322

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
208.9 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 73 Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
7
293.3 mi into trip | ~5h 43m in | US 322

Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.12 one way

$104.25 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $57.09 $114.17
premium $4.93 $60.97 $121.95
diesel $5.61 $69.42 $138.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.3 1 $33.01 $15.09
Efficient EV 78.6 0 $27.51 $12.58
EV Truck/SUV 125.8 1 $44.02 $20.12

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Sunday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 7 to 12 mph 76% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Palmdale, PA

Morning in Palmdale on Sunday

Local time

6:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Clearfield, PA

157 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

21 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 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with about 45% of the journey involving highway travel. While there are stretches of faster road, the overall feel is more about navigating through varied terrain. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 103.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle in. Beyond that, the drive will likely involve more frequent turns and a change in road character as you transition between the main arteries and local roads. This dynamic nature means you'll be actively engaged behind the wheel.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.3 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 Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 314.4 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 205 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Palmdale, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College, Hazleton and Carlisle.

Shawville

173.3 mi in | ~3h 10m

State College

208.9 mi in | ~3h 55m | via US 322

Hazleton

293.3 mi in | ~5h 43m | via US 322

Carlisle

293.3 mi in | ~5h 43m | via US 322

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Full guide →

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 314.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.3 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 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 Palmdale, 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 205 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palmdale, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Erie, PA

Manchester, VT 430.9 mi · 8h 54m Baldwin, PA 425.1 mi · 7h 54m Pennsport, PA 424.4 mi · 7h 54m Moore, PA 424.2 mi · 7h 54m Collingdale, PA 422.4 mi · 7h 55m Darby, PA 421.1 mi · 7h 54m

More trips to Palmdale, PA

Pittsburgh, PA 217.3 mi City of Scranton, PA 111.3 mi Bristol, PA 107.7 mi Croydon, PA 105.7 mi Philadelphia, PA 93.7 mi Bethlehem, PA 80.1 mi
Escape planner: Erie, PA Scenic drives in PA

Explore more options from Erie, PA or browse trips ending in Palmdale, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.