Mount Pocono, PA to Erie, PA is 347.6 miles and takes about 6h 24m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northwest. Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of the journey, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With one recommended stop, this route is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Consider this drive if you prefer a more engaging road experience over pure highway speed.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.8 miles from Mount Pocono, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
273 mi
4h 56m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
PA 940
2.3 mi
4m
I 380
1.9 mi
2m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
Manor View Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 273 mi, about 4h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pocono, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Manor View Avenue
0.2 mi·55 sec·Manor View Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto PA 940
2.3 mi·4 min·PA 940
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
4
Merge onto I 380
1.9 mi·2 min·I 380
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 1AToward I 80 West: Hazleton
6
Merge onto I 80
273 mi·4 hr 56 min·Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
8
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
10
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 24m duration, leaving Mount Pocono in the morning will allow ample time to reach Erie before evening. While this is a single-day trip, plan for your one recommended stop to break up the 347.6 miles and refuel. The Keystone Shortway forms the longest stretch at 273 miles, so consider taking your primary break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the Keystone Shortway and I-79, as services can be more spaced out on certain sections of the local roads.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.8 miles from Mount Pocono, PA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 273 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 76 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.8 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 16m
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 Mount Pocono, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Pocono, PA
This is one driving day of about 347.6 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Mount Pocono, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 273 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 347.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
4
278.1 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 79 North: Erie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 79 North: Erie
6
344.6 mi into trip|~6h 17m 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
5
344.8 mi into trip|~6h 18m in|PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
347.1 mi into trip|~6h 23m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.63 one way
$115.26 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$63.12
$126.23
premium
$4.93
$67.41
$134.83
diesel
$5.61
$76.75
$153.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.3
1
$36.50
$16.68
Efficient EV
86.9
0
$30.42
$13.90
EV Truck/SUV
139
1
$48.66
$22.25
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Mount Pocono, PA
Morning
in Mount Pocono on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Widespread Fog then Partly Sunny
N 5 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 24m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a dynamic driving experience with a 20% highway share, blending faster sections with more involved local roads. You'll encounter a significant 273-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, providing a long, uninterrupted segment. As you progress, expect the character of the drive to shift, moving from the initial local roads to the more direct Keystone Shortway, and then incorporating I-79 for a portion of the journey. This mix means you'll need to stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions, making for a more varied drive than a pure interstate trip.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 273 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 24m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 278.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 344.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 347.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 273 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 278.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 344.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
