Perkiomen, PA to Erie, PA is 382.2 miles and takes about 7h 25m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across the great state of Pennsylvania, beginning in the Northeast region and concluding in the same area. You'll experience a driving profile that involves frequent turns and local roads, interspersed with some highway stretches. Given the 7-hour duration and the nature of the drive, it's comfortably achievable as a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
191.1 miles from Perkiomen, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m 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
Pottstown Expressway
10.4 mi
14m
South Market Street
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Perkiomen, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Montgomery Avenue
17 ft·6 sec·Montgomery Avenue
2
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Oakland Avenue
255 ft·13 sec·Oakland Avenue
4
Turn right onto Egypt Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Egypt Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 422 West: PottstownUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 422
10 mi·14 min·Pottstown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 422
8.4 mi·11 min·Pottstown Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 422
0.3 mi·35 sec·Benjamin Franklin Highway
9
Turn right onto PA 662
5.1 mi·8 min·Old Swede Road
10
Continue on PA 662
4.4 mi·6 min·Memorial Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto PA 73; PA 662
206 ft·3 sec·Memorial Highway
12
Continue on PA 73; PA 662
1.7 mi·2 min·Memorial Highway
13
Continue on PA 73
346 ft·6 sec·Blandon Road
14
Enter roundabout onto PA 73
94 ft·1 sec·Blandon Road
15
Continue on PA 73
3.9 mi·5 min·Blandon Road
16
Continue on PA 73
0.3 mi·24 sec·Main Street
17
Continue on PA 73
0.2 mi·15 sec·Blandon Road
18
Continue on PA 73
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
19
Continue on PA 73
2.7 mi·4 min·Lake Shore Drive
20
Turn right onto PA 61
0.8 mi·54 sec·Pottsville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·19 sec·South 4th Street
26
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
29
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
30
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
31
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mauch Chunk Street
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Centre Street
33
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi·4 min·West Market Street
34
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·East Sunbury Street
36
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
37
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
38
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi·43 sec·Locust Gap Highway
39
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi·13 min·Locust Gap Highway
40
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·South Market Street
41
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi·45 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
42
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
45
Merge onto I 80
204 mi·3 hr 39 min·Keystone Shortway
46
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
47
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
48
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
49
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
51
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Perkiomen, PA, to allow ample time for the 2 stops recommended along the way. While the drive is manageable in one day, breaking it up with planned pauses will enhance the experience and reduce fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the local road segments, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, pay close attention to navigation, and ensure your GPS is set up before you depart; the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is a good time to mentally prepare for the subsequent local road sections.
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 191.1 miles from Perkiomen, PA, or about 3h 56m 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 84 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.1 miles or 3h 56m 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 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 Perkiomen, 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 Perkiomen, PA
This is one driving day of about 382.2 miles and 7h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Perkiomen, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 381.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Oakland Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Oakland Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward US 422 West: Pottstown
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 422 West: Pottstown
6
379.2 mi into trip|~7h 18m 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
381.8 mi into trip|~7h 24m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.48 one way
$122.97 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$69.20
$138.40
premium
$4.95
$74.54
$149.09
diesel
$5.98
$89.98
$179.97
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
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.7
1
$40.13
$18.35
Efficient EV
95.6
1
$33.44
$15.29
EV Truck/SUV
152.9
1
$53.51
$24.46
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 18, 2026
Origin
Perkiomen, PA
Night
in Perkiomen on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
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
9 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 25m 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...
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...
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...
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...
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 79.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter more frequent directional changes than on a pure interstate trip. With only 23% of the drive on highways, expect a significant portion to be on more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 204 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent driving before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a dynamic journey where you'll actively navigate through various Pennsylvania landscapes rather than a continuous high-speed cruise.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 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 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pennsylvania Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 382.2 miles you will encounter 21 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: near the start (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Oakland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 25m. Total distance: 382.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 25m 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 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: near the start (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Oakland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, First State National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.
