Fairless Hills to Erie is 427.1 miles and takes about 7h 54m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I-79, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, moving from its southeastern corner to the northwestern part of the state. The profile is mixed highway and surface roads, suggesting a route that offers both efficient travel and a chance to see more of the local landscape. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is well-suited for those looking for a direct, manageable trip 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
213.6 miles from Fairless Hills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
256.6 mi
4h 37m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
74.2 mi
1h 20m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17.1 mi
18m
Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
3.2 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Lincoln Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Maple Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
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 Fairless Hills, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Elmwood Road
0.1 mi·31 sec·Elmwood Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Trenton Road
0.3 mi·38 sec·Trenton Road
3
Turn right onto Oxford Valley Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Oxford Valley Road
4
Continue on Oxford Valley Road
419 ft·14 sec·Oxford Valley Road
5
Turn left onto US 1 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 213
1.5 mi·3 min·Maple Avenue
Toward LanghorneUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 1 South: PhiladelphiaUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 1
3.2 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 1
1.0 mi·1 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 276 Toll, PATP TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 276; PATP
17 mi·18 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
19
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
21
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
23
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 54-minute drive, consider leaving Fairless Hills early in the morning to maximize daylight. With only two recommended stops, you can plan for one midway break and another closer to your destination. The fuel cost is estimated at $71, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, especially before heading onto longer stretches like the 256.6-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of the transition to surface roads, which might slow your progress as you approach Erie.
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 213.6 miles from Fairless Hills, PA, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.6 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 94 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.6 miles or 3h 58m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairless Hills, 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 Fairless Hills, PA
This is one driving day of about 427.1 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Fairless Hills, 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 256.6 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 25.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|PA 213 / Maple Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 213 / Maple Avenue toward Langhorne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Langhorne
7
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward US 1 South: Philadelphia
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 1 South: Philadelphia
7
7.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 276 Toll, PATP Toll
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 I 276 Toll, PATP Toll
8
8 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
25.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.10 one way
$136.20 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$75.36
$150.73
premium
$4.81
$80.85
$161.69
diesel
$4.80
$80.64
$161.29
Estimated Tolls: $11.87
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(91.2 mi)$11.87
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
$68
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
128.1
1
$44.85
$20.50
Efficient EV
106.8
1
$37.37
$17.08
EV Truck/SUV
170.8
2
$59.79
$27.33
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Fairless Hills, PA
Night
in Fairless Hills on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 1 to 7 mph0% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 54m 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 29.5
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 14.7
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 29.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 38% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 256.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway. You'll notice the transition from more developed highway sections to rural cruising as you progress. Be prepared for a mix of driving experiences, from faster-paced highway travel to slower speeds on local roads.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near PA 213 / Maple Avenue.
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 21 significant decision points across 427.1 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 1.7 miles (PA 213 / Maple Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 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
1,640 ft110 ft
Total Climb
3,009 ft
Total Descent
2,466 ft
Highest Point
1,640 ft
~305.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,530 ft
Notable High Points
1,612 ft at ~91.5 miles+521 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairless Hills, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Allentown and Mount Pocono.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 427.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 256.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.87 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 Erie, 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 1.7 miles (PA 213 / Maple Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Erie, PA before the return drive.
