Origin
Lower Gwynedd, PA
Night in Lower Gwynedd on Saturday
Local time
9:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lower Gwynedd, 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 28m
Distance
399.9 mi
644 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 49m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 48m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lower Gwynedd, PA
Jack Pace
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lower Gwynedd, PA to Erie, PA is 399.9 miles and takes about 7h 28m via the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you across Pennsylvania, from the Northeast region to its northwestern corner. The majority of your journey will be on the Keystone Shortway, a route known for its straightforward path through the state. Given its length and duration, this is a solid one-day drive, but be prepared for a full day of travel. Consider if a single, long day of driving suits your travel style before you set out.
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
200 miles from Lower Gwynedd, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m 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 |
| North Sumneytown Pike | 4 mi | 9m |
| Sumneytown Pike | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Penllyn Pike | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lower Gwynedd, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on this road
143 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Penllyn Pike
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Penllyn Pike
3
Turn left onto North Bethlehem Pike
478 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Bethlehem Pike
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Sumneytown Pike
Use the left / right lanes.
5
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
6
Continue on North Sumneytown Pike
4.0 mi
·
9 min
·
North Sumneytown Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 476; PATP
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95
Toward 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 183A
Toward 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 7h 28m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Lower Gwynedd to maximize daylight hours. With only 2 recommended stops, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of your longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 256.6-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. Given the $66 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to factor in a buffer. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but be mindful of the total duration to avoid arriving in Erie too late.
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 200 miles from Lower Gwynedd, PA, or about 3h 48m 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 88 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200 miles or 3h 48m 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 20m
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 Lower Gwynedd, 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 Lower Gwynedd, PA
This is one driving day of about 399.9 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Lower Gwynedd, 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
200 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 200 miles from Lower Gwynedd, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 399.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Bethlehem Pike
Turn left onto North Bethlehem Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
8.4 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
6
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
396.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 21m 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
399.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 27m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.30 one way
$132.60 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
140 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $72.61 | $145.22 |
| premium | $4.93 | $77.56 | $155.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $88.29 | $176.59 |
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
$66
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120 | 1 | $41.99 | $19.20 |
| Efficient EV | 100 | 1 | $34.99 | $16.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 160 | 1 | $55.99 | $25.59 |
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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
9:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Widespread Fog then Partly Sunny
N 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
200 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 28m 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...
12 mi from route
~31 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...
17 mi from route
~42 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
30 mi from route
~74 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?
This drive offers a mixed bag of highway experiences. With 32% of the route on highways, you'll encounter stretches of faster travel alongside more varied road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 256.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, meaning you can cover a lot of ground without frequent exits. As you progress from Lower Gwynedd towards Erie, expect the landscape to gradually change, transitioning from the more developed areas around Philadelphia to the more rural and rolling terrain of central and western Pennsylvania. The presence of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-79 indicates periods of higher-speed, limited-access travel.
32% 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?
9/10
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 0.5 miles in near North Bethlehem Pike.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 399.9 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 0.5 miles (North Bethlehem Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.6 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 Lower Gwynedd, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.
Mount Pocono
72.6 mi in
|
~1h 29m
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 28m. Total distance: 399.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m 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 0.5 miles (North Bethlehem Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.6 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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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