Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Erie, PA to Phoenixville, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 22m
Distance
377.8 mi
608 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 12m
★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Phoenixville, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Erie to Phoenixville is 377.8 miles and takes about 7h 22m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the same region. You'll be on mostly surface roads for this trip, with a good chunk of highway time early on. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the 7-hour drive. Given the duration and the profile, this is a straightforward one-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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.9 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m 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 |
| East Schuylkill Road | 8.5 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204.4 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,074 veh/hr typical · worst 1,411
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Phoenixville, 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
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Perkiomen Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on US 422
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Baumstown Road
40
Continue on US 422
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Benjamin Franklin Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
41
Take the exit onto US 422
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Pottstown Bypass
Toward US 422 East: Pottstown, King of Prussia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PA 724: Phoenixville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
At end of road, turn left onto PA 724
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
East Schuylkill Road
Use the left lane.
44
Continue on PA 23
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Nutt Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Turn slight left onto PA 113
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
46
Turn right onto Walnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
47
At end of road, turn right onto South Main Street
494 ft
·
18 sec
·
South Main Street
48
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Erie in the morning should allow you to reach Phoenixville with daylight to spare. Since this is a one-day drive, you can be flexible with your departure time. You've got two stops planned, so aim to take one about halfway through your drive, perhaps around the 3.5-hour mark. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $67, so monitor your gauge, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads. The longest stretch is over 200 miles, so ensure you're well-fueled before you begin that segment.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 27m 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 83 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.9 miles or 3h 27m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenixville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 377.8 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Erie, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
189 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 188.9 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Venango County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Venango County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Zachrich Trucking Inc
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Clarion Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 367.7 — 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
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
7
362.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m in
|
US 422 / Pottstown Bypass
Take the exit onto US 422 / Pottstown Bypass toward US 422 East: Pottstown, King of Prussia
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 US 422 East: Pottstown, King of Prussia
6
367.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward PA 724: Phoenixville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 724: Phoenixville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.81 one way
$133.63 round trip
$4.49/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.92 | $73.18 | $146.36 |
| premium | $5.24 | $78.00 | $156.00 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $79.58 | $159.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.3 | 1 | $39.67 | $18.13 |
| Efficient EV | 94.5 | 1 | $33.06 | $15.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.1 | 1 | $52.89 | $24.18 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NE 3 to 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenixville, PA
Afternoon in Phoenixville on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
E 0 to 10 mph
20% chance
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
1 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
7h 22m 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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 377.8
View on nps.gov
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 312.7
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 377.8
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$1
near mile 377.8
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 377.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a highway share of 3%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. Your longest stretch on a single road is 204.4 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After the initial highway segment, expect a shift to navigating through towns and local traffic. The profile is mostly surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and more intersections.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
48 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?
7/10
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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 377.8 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 349.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,224 ft
137 ft
Total Climb
2,815 ft
Total Descent
3,330 ft
Highest Point
2,224 ft
~161.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,087 ft
Notable High Points
2,224 ft at ~161.9 miles
+876 ft prominence
1,196 ft at ~296.9 miles
+609 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Phoenixville, PA, road signs point toward Washingtonville and Morgantown.
Washingtonville
274.4 mi in
|
~4h 58m
Morgantown
349.5 mi in
|
~6h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in Erie, PA
Full guide →Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
- • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
- • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania
Arriving in Phoenixville, PA
Full guide →Founded 1732
Phoenixville is a borough of 17,000 people (2019) in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Philadelphia Metro Area. Phoenixville used to be a beaten-down mill town, but its downtown has been revitalized by 10 craft breweries and a distillery. It has more breweries per square foot than anywhere else in America.
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 7h 22m. Total distance: 377.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m 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 Phoenixville, 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 2 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 349.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and First State National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Phoenixville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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