Origin
Limerick, PA
Morning in Limerick on Tuesday
Local time
6:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Limerick, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 14m
Distance
374 mi
602 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 4m
★
6 AM
7h 14m
8 AM
7h 36m
10 AM
7h 22m
12 PM
7h 20m
3 PM
7h 23m
5 PM
7h 35m
8 PM
7h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Limerick, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 374-mile journey from Limerick, PA, to Erie, PA, will take you approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on Locust Gap Highway, this route offers a full day's drive. With a projected fuel cost of around $62 and a recommendation for one day, it's certainly achievable as a single-day trip. You'll be traveling within Pennsylvania for the entirety of this northeastern drive. Expect a turn-heavy local drive feel for a good portion of the trip, so plan for a more engaging driving experience rather than a simple interstate cruise.
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
187 miles from Limerick, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 204 mi | 3h 39m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Pottsville Pike | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Pottstown Bypass | 8.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Limerick, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on South Limerick Road
34 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Limerick Road
2
Turn left onto West Ridge Pike
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Ridge Pike
3
Turn slight left
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward US 422 West: Pottstown
5
Continue on US 422
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Pottstown Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 422
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Benjamin Franklin Highway
7
Turn right onto PA 662
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Old Swede Road
8
Continue on PA 662
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Memorial Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto PA 73; PA 662
206 ft
·
3 sec
·
Memorial Highway
10
Continue on PA 73; PA 662
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Highway
11
Continue on PA 73
346 ft
·
6 sec
·
Blandon Road
12
Enter roundabout onto PA 73
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
Blandon Road
13
Continue on PA 73
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Blandon Road
14
Continue on PA 73
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Main Street
15
Continue on PA 73
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Blandon Road
16
Continue on PA 73
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on PA 73
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Lake Shore Drive
18
Turn right onto PA 61
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 4th Street
24
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
27
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
28
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
29
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
30
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
31
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
32
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
33
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
34
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
35
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
36
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
37
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
38
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
39
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
40
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
43
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
44
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
45
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
47
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
49
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Limerick early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize late-night driving. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 374 miles into manageable segments, ensuring you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 204-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be more spaced out. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you should stay attentive to navigation and road signs to ensure you're on track to 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 187 miles from Limerick, PA, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204 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 82 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187 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 5m
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 Limerick, 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 Limerick, PA
This is one driving day of about 374 miles and 7h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Limerick, 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 204 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187 miles from Limerick, 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 204 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 373.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
PA 73 / Blandon Road
Enter roundabout onto PA 73 / Blandon Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
32.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Turn right onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
6
371 mi into trip
|
~7h 7m 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
373.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 12m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.00 one way
$124.01 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $67.91 | $135.82 |
| premium | $4.93 | $72.53 | $145.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.57 | $165.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
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
$62
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.2 | 1 | $39.27 | $17.95 |
| Efficient EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.73 | $14.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.6 | 1 | $52.36 | $23.94 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
6:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live 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
15 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a less predictable and more engaging experience than a straightforward interstate cruise. With only a 21% highway share, you'll spend a significant amount of time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 204 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This route is likely to feel like a true exploration of Pennsylvania's landscape, rather than a quick dash between cities.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near PA 73 / Blandon Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 374 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (PA 73 / Blandon Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.2 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point.
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 14m. Total distance: 374 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre 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 23.3 miles (PA 73 / Blandon Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.2 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.5 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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