Origin
Kulpsville, PA
Night in Kulpsville on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kulpsville, PA to Erie, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
392.3 mi
631 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 33m
10 AM
7h 19m
12 PM
7h 17m
3 PM
7h 20m
5 PM
7h 32m
8 PM
7h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kulpsville, PA
Barnabas Davoti
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 392.3-mile journey from Kulpsville, PA, to Erie, PA, is best tackled in a single day, requiring approximately 7 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. With a fuel cost estimated at $65, it's an economical option for a long day trip within the Northeast region. The drive offers a mixed profile, suggesting a variety of road types. Planning for about 2 stops should keep your journey comfortable.
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
196.1 miles from Kulpsville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 256.6 mi | 4h 37m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 64 mi | 1h 9m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Sumneytown Pike | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Reiff Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kulpsville, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Reiff Road
50 ft
·
4 sec
·
Reiff Road
2
Turn right onto Sumneytown Pike
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Sumneytown Pike
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 476; PATP
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95
Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
9
Merge onto I 80
257 mi
·
4 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
11
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
13
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your daylight and minimize fatigue, consider departing from Kulpsville early in the morning. With a 7-hour drive, planning for 2 stops at roughly equal intervals will break up the journey effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 256.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. Given the manageable duration for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on how you feel.
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 196.1 miles from Kulpsville, PA, or about 3h 35m 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 86 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.1 miles or 3h 35m 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 2m
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 Kulpsville, 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 Kulpsville, PA
This is one driving day of about 392.3 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Kulpsville, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
196 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 196.1 miles from Kulpsville, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 256.6 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 391.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 North: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
389.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m 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
6
391.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 10m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.04 one way
$130.08 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $71.23 | $142.46 |
| premium | $4.93 | $76.08 | $152.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.61 | $173.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.32
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(64 mi)
$8.32
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
$65
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.7 | 1 | $41.19 | $18.83 |
| Efficient EV | 98.1 | 1 | $34.33 | $15.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.9 | 1 | $54.92 | $25.11 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Night in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph
44% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
196 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
18 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 11m 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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$1
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
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 mixed drive on this route, with 33% of the mileage on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans a significant 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of consistent travel. As you progress, the road character will likely shift between faster highway sections and potentially more varied local or secondary roads. This blend means you'll experience different driving conditions, from maintaining speed on open stretches to navigating more diverse terrain.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 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?
8/10
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 0.8 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 392.3 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Kulpsville, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Mount Pocono
65 mi in
|
~1h 11m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 7h 11m. Total distance: 392.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m 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 $8.32 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. 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 14.4 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.
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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