Richboro, PA to Erie, PA is 407.8 miles and takes about 7h 48m via Keystone Shortway and I 79, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey takes you from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to its northwestern corner. Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, suggesting a route that winds through more local roads and less of a straight interstate shot. With a recommended one-day drive, you can comfortably complete this trip within daylight hours, making it a straightforward transit between two points in the Keystone 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.9 miles from Richboro, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m 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
50.3 mi
54m
East Swamp Road
5.4 mi
8m
Almshouse Road
5.1 mi
9m
East Broad Street
4.3 mi
9m
Doylestown Pike
4 mi
6m
York Road
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,084 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,463
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richboro, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 232
81 ft·6 sec·2nd Street Pike
2
Turn left onto PA 332
5.1 mi·9 min·Almshouse Road
3
Turn right onto PA 263
3.2 mi·5 min·York Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto PA 313
1.5 mi·2 min·Swamp Road
5
Continue on PA 313
5.4 mi·8 min·East Swamp Road
6
Continue on PA 313
0.8 mi·1 min·South Dublin Pike
7
Continue on PA 313
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Main Street
8
Continue on PA 313
2.8 mi·4 min·Doylestown Pike
9
Continue on PA 313
2.3 mi·3 min·West Dublin Pike
10
Continue on PA 313
1.3 mi·2 min·East Broad Street
11
Continue on PA 313
1.2 mi·2 min·Doylestown Pike
12
Continue on PA 313
2.9 mi·7 min·East Broad Street
13
Continue on PA 663
2.6 mi·3 min·John Fries Highway
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward PATP
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 476 North: AllentownUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 95Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
20
Merge onto I 80
257 mi·4 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
22
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
24
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 48m estimated duration, leaving Richboro in the morning will allow you to reach Erie well before sunset. Plan for about 2 stops to break up the drive and refuel; this should be sufficient for a single-day trip. The 28% highway share means you'll need to stay alert for varying speed limits and road conditions. A key consideration for this route is managing your fuel, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway and I 79; ensure you're topped up before heading into longer stretches where services might be less frequent.
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 203.9 miles from Richboro, PA, or about 4h 3m 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 90 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.9 miles or 4h 3m 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 39m
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 Richboro, 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 Richboro, PA
This is one driving day of about 407.8 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Richboro, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 407.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|PA 263 / York Road
Turn right onto PA 263 / York Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
29.9 mi into trip|~52m 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
80.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
404.8 mi into trip|~7h 40m 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
407.4 mi into trip|~7h 46m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.02 one way
$130.05 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$71.96
$143.92
premium
$4.81
$77.19
$154.39
diesel
$4.80
$77.00
$154.00
Estimated Tolls: $6.53
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(50.3 mi)$6.53
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
$65
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.3
1
$42.82
$19.57
Efficient EV
102
1
$35.68
$16.31
EV Truck/SUV
163.1
2
$57.09
$26.10
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Richboro, PA
Night
in Richboro on Saturday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Smoke
N 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
N 1 to 6 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
1 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 48m 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.
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...
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 14.1
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 "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent turns rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. While 28% of the journey is on highways, the majority of the drive will involve navigating local roads. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which should provide a good period of consistent travel. Be prepared for the road to change character as you progress, with moments of quicker highway travel interspersed with more winding, scenic local routes.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near PA 263 / York Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 407.8 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 5.1 miles (PA 263 / York Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,771 ft268 ft
Total Climb
2,716 ft
Total Descent
2,331 ft
Highest Point
1,771 ft
~233 mi in
Elevation Range
1,503 ft
Notable High Points
1,289 ft at ~87.4 miles+745 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richboro, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Mount Pocono.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 407.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m 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 256.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.53 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.
Yes — we found about 40 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (PA 263 / York Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
