Erie to Warminster is 416.7 miles and takes about 7h 41m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to the eastern part of the state. Expect a route that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience. With just two recommended stops and a fuel cost under $100, this trip is a straightforward option for a single-day journey.
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
208.3 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
257.1 mi
4h 38m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.6 mi
1h 20m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
9.1 mi
9m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Blair Mill Road
1.8 mi
4m
York Road
1.1 mi
2m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 257.1 mi, about 4h 38m
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 Warminster, 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
Exit 343Toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow GroveUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·7 sec
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, HorshamUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddle Air National Guard BaseUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto PA 611
0.4 mi·42 sec·Easton Road
18
Turn right onto Blair Mill Road
1.8 mi·4 min·Blair Mill Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto West County Line Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·West County Line Road
20
Turn left onto PA 263
1.1 mi·2 min·York Road
21
Turn right onto PA 132
407 ft·14 sec·Street Road
22
Continue on PA 132
305 ft·11 sec·Street Road
23
Turn slight right
96 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Erie. This will give you ample time to reach Warminster before evening, even with two planned stops. Since the majority of this route is on surface roads, be prepared for potentially slower travel times and more frequent stops at traffic lights. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 257.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before entering that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is $76, which is a reasonable budget for this distance.
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 208.3 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 49m 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 92 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.3 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warminster, 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 416.7 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 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 257.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 412.8 — 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.
8
412.1 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow Grove
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 343
Toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow G...
8
412.8 mi into trip|~7h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham
9
412.8 mi into trip|~7h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddle Air National Guard Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddl...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.69 one way
$147.39 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$80.72
$161.43
premium
$5.24
$86.03
$172.06
diesel
$5.35
$87.77
$175.54
Estimated Tolls: $10.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(83.6 mi)$10.87
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
$74
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$110–$135
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125
1
$43.75
$20.00
Efficient EV
104.2
1
$36.46
$16.67
EV Truck/SUV
166.7
2
$58.34
$26.67
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NE 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Warminster, PA
Afternoon
in Warminster on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Fog
NE 0 to 10 mph17% chanceLive 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
2 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 41m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 402.3
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$1
near mile 402.3
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 402.3
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 402.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only about 20% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering 257.1 miles. After that, expect a shift to more local roads. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Raymond P Shafer Highway offer some limited-access driving, but the majority of your miles will be on roads with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 416.7 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 412.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,780 ft301 ft
Total Climb
3,060 ft
Total Descent
3,404 ft
Highest Point
1,780 ft
~238.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,479 ft
Notable High Points
1,780 ft at ~238.1 miles+1,063 ft prominence
1,548 ft at ~327.4 miles+665 ft prominence
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 Warminster, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
327 mi in|~5h 57m
Allentown
327 mi in|~5h 57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 416.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m 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 $10.87 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.
Yes — we found about 40 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 Warminster, 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 40 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 412.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Warminster, PA before the return drive.
