Horsham, PA to Erie, PA is 412.5 miles and takes about 7h 34m via Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I 79, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip heads northwest through Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region of the state to its northwestern corner. The drive offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day excursion for most drivers. You'll want to be prepared for the full 7.5 hours of driving time, plus any stops you plan to make along the way.
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
206.3 miles from Horsham, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m 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
8.6 mi
9m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Easton Road
1.2 mi
2m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
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 Horsham, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on this road
37 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto PA 611
0.1 mi·12 sec·Easton Road
3
Continue on PA 611
1.1 mi·2 min·Easton Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 276, PATP: Philadelphia, HarrisburgUse the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 276 West: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 276; PATP
8.6 mi·9 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
13
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
15
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
17
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning. This will give you ample daylight and allow you to reach Erie without feeling rushed. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 412.5 miles into manageable segments. A good strategy is to stop around the halfway point or after completing a significant highway section, such as the 256.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when transitioning to surface roads, as gas stations might be less frequent than on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $76.
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 206.3 miles from Horsham, PA, or about 3h 47m 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 91 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.3 miles or 3h 47m 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 25m
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 Horsham, 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 Horsham, PA
This is one driving day of about 412.5 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Horsham, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 409.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 276, PATP: Philadelphia, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 276, PATP: Philadelphia, Harrisburg
7
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
7
10.5 mi into trip|~13m 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
6
85.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
6
409.5 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.77 one way
$131.55 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$72.79
$145.58
premium
$4.81
$78.08
$156.17
diesel
$4.80
$77.89
$155.78
Estimated Tolls: $10.77
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(82.8 mi)$10.77
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
$66
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.8
1
$43.31
$19.80
Efficient EV
103.1
1
$36.09
$16.50
EV Truck/SUV
165
2
$57.75
$26.40
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Horsham, PA
Night
in Horsham on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Smoke
N 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 1 to 6 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
1 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
7h 34m 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 14.2
Park Closure: Library Lane Closed to All Pedestrian and Vehicular Traffic
Park Closure: Route 252 Closed between Route 23 and Covered Bridge - Resuming July 13
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...
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 14.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 36% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Expect to transition between faster-paced highway driving and more varied speeds on local roads. The mix suggests you'll encounter areas with more frequent exits and intersections as you move between the primary highway segments.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 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 1.3 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 412.5 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 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,682 ft250 ft
Total Climb
2,985 ft
Total Descent
2,582 ft
Highest Point
1,682 ft
~171.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,432 ft
Notable High Points
1,682 ft at ~171.5 miles+831 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Horsham, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 34m. Total distance: 412.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m 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 $10.77 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 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 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.
