Erie to Pen Argyl is 360.7 miles and takes about 6h 50m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from one end to the other. Given it's mostly surface roads, expect a leisurely pace rather than high-speed travel. This route is best suited for those who prefer seeing the landscape unfold gradually, making it a solid option for a single-day trip.
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
180.4 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
263.9 mi
4h 46m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
PA 115
15.1 mi
22m
Old Route 115
3.3 mi
5m
PA 33
2.4 mi
3m
US 209
2.2 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
West Pennsylvania Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 263.9 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,463
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Pen Argyl, 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
264 mi·4 hr 46 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
10
Turn straight onto PA 115
15 mi·22 min·PA 115
11
Enter roundabout onto US 209
265 ft·3 sec·US 209
12
Continue on US 209
2.1 mi·4 min·US 209
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
14
Turn straight onto Old Route 115
3.3 mi·5 min·Old Route 115
15
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
16
Merge onto PA 33
2.4 mi·3 min·PA 33
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward Wind GapUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
At end of road, turn left onto Broadway (Old Route 115)
0.5 mi·51 sec·Broadway (Old Route 115)
19
Turn left onto Alpha Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Alpha Road
20
Turn left onto PA 512
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Lehigh Avenue
21
Continue on PA 512
1.8 mi·3 min·West Pennsylvania Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
PA 512
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 50m drive, consider departing early in the morning to allow ample time for the varied road conditions. While it's possible in one day, the extensive surface road mileage means you'll be covering ground at a more moderate pace. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 360.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto the less developed segments of the route, and factor in the $64 fuel cost. The single recommended stop is likely a good place to refuel and stretch.
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 180.4 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.9 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 180.4 miles or 3h 19m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pen Argyl, 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 360.7 miles and 6h 50m.
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 263.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 357.6 — 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
333.9 mi into trip|~6h 5m in
Take the exit toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
6
357.6 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward Wind Gap
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Wind Gap
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.51 one way
$115.03 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$63.65
$127.30
premium
$4.81
$68.28
$136.55
diesel
$4.80
$68.11
$136.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.2
1
$37.87
$17.31
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.56
$14.43
EV Truck/SUV
144.3
1
$50.50
$23.08
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Monday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pen Argyl, PA
Late night
in Pen Argyl on Monday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Clearfield, PA
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
6 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 50m 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,...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 360.7
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?
You'll spend about 7% of your time on highways, with the majority of this route on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 263.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After this significant highway segment, you'll transition to PA 115 and other local roads. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you move away from the limited-access sections.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.9 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 15 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 360.7 miles you will encounter 15 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
1,715 ft553 ft
Total Climb
2,650 ft
Total Descent
2,476 ft
Highest Point
1,715 ft
~335 mi in
Elevation Range
1,162 ft
Notable High Points
1,715 ft at ~335 miles+553 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 Pen Argyl, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Blakeslee along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 50m. Total distance: 360.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m 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 263.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 Pen Argyl, 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 38 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 — 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pen Argyl, PA before the return drive.
