Origin
Palmerton, PA
Morning in Palmerton on Tuesday
Local time
8:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmerton, 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
6h 26m
Distance
341 mi
549 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 14m
★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmerton, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 341-mile journey from Palmerton, PA, to Erie, PA, is estimated to take about 6 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on Hudson Drive, this route is manageable as a single-day trip, though you might appreciate a break. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, it's a budget-friendly option for exploring within Pennsylvania. This drive offers a good balance between open highway and more winding local roads, making it an engaging way to travel between the Northeast regions of the state.
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
170.5 miles from Palmerton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 236.1 mi | 4h 14m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Hudson Drive | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| PA 248 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| East Broad Street | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| State Route 93 | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| Hunter Street | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| East Catawissa Street | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.1 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmerton, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on this road
136 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Delaware Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Delaware Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
4
Merge onto PA 248
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 248
5
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Bankway Street
7
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 South
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
9
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Mauch Chunk Street
10
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Susquehanna Street
11
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
12
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Lehigh Street
13
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
14
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Catawissa Street
15
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hudson Drive
16
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Hunter Street
17
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Hudson Drive
18
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Broad Street
19
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Street
20
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Broad Street
21
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Broad Street
22
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Susquehanna Boulevard
23
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Valmont Parkway
24
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 93
25
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
27
Merge onto I 80
236 mi
·
4 hr 14 min
·
Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
29
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
31
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour-plus duration, departing early from Palmerton is advisable to maximize daylight and ensure you reach Erie with ample time. While this route is feasible in one day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 236.1-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spread out. Consider splitting the drive if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though its single-day feasibility offers flexibility for your travel plans.
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 170.5 miles from Palmerton, PA, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.1 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 75 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.5 miles or 3h 18m 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 17m
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 Palmerton, 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 Palmerton, PA
This is one driving day of about 341 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Palmerton, 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 236.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.5 miles from Palmerton, 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 236.1 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 6.2 and 340.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
10.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
338 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m 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
338.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m 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
340.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.53 one way
$113.07 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $61.92 | $123.83 |
| premium | $4.93 | $66.13 | $132.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.29 | $150.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.81 | $16.37 |
| Efficient EV | 85.3 | 0 | $29.84 | $13.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.4 | 1 | $47.74 | $21.82 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
8:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Clearfield, PA
171 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
6h 26m 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?
Expect a route that's labeled as 'turn-heavy local drive,' despite having 22% of its mileage on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 236.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of consistent travel. As you progress, the road character will likely shift from more open highway sections to more involved local driving, requiring your attention. This blend means you'll experience varied driving conditions, keeping you engaged throughout the 6-hour-plus journey.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near US 209 / Bridge Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 341 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.2 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 338 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Palmerton, PA
Full guide →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 6h 26m. Total distance: 341 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.1 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 6.2 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 338 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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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