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Trip from Erie, PA to Spinnerstown, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 59m

Distance

380.3 mi

612 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 48m ★
6 AM
7h 0m
8 AM
7h 22m
10 AM
7h 8m
12 PM
7h 5m
3 PM
7h 9m
5 PM
7h 21m
8 PM
6h 53m

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

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Spinnerstown, PA, PA

Spinnerstown, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 380.3-mile journey from Erie to Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania, is estimated to take just under 7 hours, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the Keystone Shortway, the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. With a projected fuel cost of around $63, this route offers a direct path across the state, primarily within the Northeast region. While it's manageable in a single day, consider if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The drive's character leans towards a turn-heavy local experience, so factor in time for those transitions.

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

190.2 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 257.1 mi 4h 38m
Raymond P Shafer Highway 66.8 mi 1h 11m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 50.4 mi 54m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
Spinnerstown Road 0.5 mi 1m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
John Fries Highway 0.4 mi <1m
West Bayfront Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

257 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
11

Merge onto I 476; PATP

50 mi · 54 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 2 min
Exit 44 Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

449 ft · 12 sec
Toward PA 663 South: Pottstown Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto PA 663

0.4 mi · 36 sec · John Fries Highway
15

Turn right onto Spinnerstown Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Spinnerstown Road
16

Arrive at destination

Spinnerstown Road

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour, 59-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach your destination. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for a break or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch is over 250 miles. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, allow for a bit of buffer time beyond the estimated duration, particularly if you're not familiar with Pennsylvania's local road networks. A good tip is to pre-program your GPS with all waypoints, not just the final destination, to better anticipate upcoming turns.

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 190.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.1 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 84 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 190.2 miles or 3h 29m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spinnerstown, 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 380.3 miles and 6h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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 257.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Allegany County, New York, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wellsville, NY

190 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

Penn Hills, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wellsville, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 190.2 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 257.1 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 379.3 — 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
328 mi into trip | ~5h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 476 South: Allentown
8
378.6 mi into trip | ~6h 55m in

Take the exit toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown

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. Exit 44 Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown
7
379.3 mi into trip | ~6h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PA 663 South: Pottstown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward PA 663 South: Pottstown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.05 one way

$126.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $69.05 $138.11
premium $4.93 $73.75 $147.51
diesel $5.61 $83.97 $167.93

Estimated Tolls: $6.55

Pennsylvania Turnpike (50.4 mi) $6.55

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 133.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 114.1 1 $39.93 $18.25
Efficient EV 95.1 1 $33.28 $15.21
EV Truck/SUV 152.1 1 $53.24 $24.34

Gas CO2

133 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Night in Erie on Saturday

Local time

9:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spinnerstown, PA

Night in Spinnerstown on Saturday

Local time

9:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Wellsville, NY

190 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

14 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 59m 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

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 380.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' personality for this 380.3-mile route. While 13% of the journey utilizes highways, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads and transitions between them. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. Beyond that, be prepared for more frequent turns and adjustments as you make your way across Pennsylvania, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.

Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 257.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 380.3 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 328 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Spinnerstown, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.

Patp

327 mi in | ~5h 57m

Allentown

327 mi in | ~5h 57m

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 59m. Total distance: 380.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 59m 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 257.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 Spinnerstown, 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 328 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spinnerstown, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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