Erie to Parkside is 356 miles and takes about 6h 36m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a more local driving experience with a turn-heavy profile rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With just one recommended stop and a total drive time under 7 hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, though you might appreciate breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Consider this drive if you're looking for a direct path across the state with a manageable amount of time behind the wheel.
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
178 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
279.3 mi
5h 5m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
PA 715
5.9 mi
10m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Paradsise Valley Road
0.6 mi
1m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 279.3 mi, about 5h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Parkside, 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
279 mi·5 hr 5 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 299Toward PA 715: TannersvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto PA 715
0.5 mi·58 sec·PA 715
10
At end of road, turn right onto PA 611; PA 715
375 ft·16 sec·Route 611
11
Turn left onto PA 715
5.3 mi·9 min·PA 715
12
Turn left onto PA 191
0.6 mi·1 min·Paradsise Valley Road
13
Turn right onto Browns Hill Road
59 ft·2 sec·Browns Hill Road
14
Arrive at destination
Browns Hill Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 36m estimated drive time, starting early in the morning from Erie will give you ample daylight to reach Parkside. While the route can be completed in one day, the "turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests paying close attention to navigation. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $59, plan your refueling stops strategically, perhaps before embarking on the longest stretch of 279.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on local road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, as these can impact your travel time more than on a pure interstate route.
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 178 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 279.3 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 78 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parkside, 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 356 miles and 6h 36m.
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 279.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 349.3 — 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.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in|West Bayfront Parkway
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
Navigation decision point
4
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
7
349.3 mi into trip|~6h 24m in
Take the exit toward PA 715: Tannersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 299
Toward PA 715: Tannersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.02 one way
$118.04 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$64.64
$129.28
premium
$4.93
$69.04
$138.08
diesel
$5.61
$78.60
$157.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
EV Truck/SUV
142.4
1
$49.84
$22.78
Gas CO2
125 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Parkside, PA
Afternoon
in Parkside on Tuesday
Local time
12:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
4 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 36m 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,...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$10
near mile 356
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?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll navigate a variety of road types rather than sticking to a single highway. With a highway share of only 2, much of this 356-mile journey will feel more intimate, potentially involving state routes and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 279.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a substantial period of consistent driving before you transition to other roadways. Be prepared for more frequent turns and changes in speed limits as you progress toward Parkside.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 279.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 Effort3/10
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 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 279.3 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 Parkside, 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.
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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Parkside, PA before the return drive.
