Erie, PA to Saw Creek, PA is 372.4 miles and takes about 7h 9m via Keystone Shortway and Raymond P Shafer Highway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending there as well. Given its mostly surface road profile and a single recommended day, expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate journey. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct, no-fuss drive across the state without needing an overnight stop.
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
186.2 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
289.6 mi
5h 20m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
Milford Road
5.4 mi
10m
US 209
3.6 mi
7m
Winona Falls Road
2.7 mi
9m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Marshalls Creek Bypass
0.9 mi
1m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 289.6 mi, about 5h 20m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 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 Saw Creek, 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
290 mi·5 hr 20 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 209
3.6 mi·7 min·US 209
Toward US 209 north , PA 447 north: Marshalls Creek
9
Enter roundabout onto US 209
98 ft·3 sec·Marshalls Creek Bypass
10
Continue on US 209
0.8 mi·1 min·Marshalls Creek Bypass
11
Continue on US 209
5.4 mi·10 min·Milford Road
12
Turn left onto Winona Falls Road
2.7 mi·9 min·Winona Falls Road
13
Continue on Decker Road
364 ft·19 sec·Decker Road
14
Turn right onto Woodbridge Drive East
166 ft·14 sec·Woodbridge Drive East
15
Turn left onto Keswick Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Keswick Avenue
16
Turn left onto Crewe Court
366 ft·16 sec·Crewe Court
17
Arrive at destination
Crewe Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Erie to ensure you have ample daylight. With 2 planned stops and a mostly surface road profile, you'll want to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $62, and it's always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches. The longest segment on the Keystone Shortway is nearly 290 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before you begin that part of the drive.
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 186.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 289.6 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 82 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.2 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saw Creek, 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 372.4 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 289.6 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 359.6 — 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
70 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Merge onto I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
359.6 mi into trip|~6h 39m in|US 209
Take the exit onto US 209 toward US 209 north , PA 447 north: Marshalls Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 209 north , PA 447 north: Marshalls C...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.38 one way
$118.76 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$65.71
$131.42
premium
$4.81
$70.49
$140.98
diesel
$4.80
$70.32
$140.63
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: 130.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.7
1
$39.10
$17.88
Efficient EV
93.1
1
$32.59
$14.90
EV Truck/SUV
149
1
$52.14
$23.83
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
NE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saw Creek, PA
Late night
in Saw Creek on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Smoke
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Clearfield, PA
186 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
9 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 9m 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,...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
$10
near mile 372.4
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 most of your time on surface roads, with only about 100% of the route being on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a primary road is 289.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After that, expect a transition to more local roads for the remainder of the trip. This means you'll likely notice more local traffic and varying speed limits as you leave the main highway.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 289.6 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 7h 9m, 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,924 ft517 ft
Total Climb
3,225 ft
Total Descent
3,144 ft
Highest Point
1,924 ft
~159.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,407 ft
Notable High Points
1,728 ft at ~239.4 miles+713 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Ember + Forge
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Erie, PA
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-19:00; Su 08...
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 372.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m 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 289.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 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 Saw Creek, 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 41 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saw Creek, PA before the return drive.
