Origin
Tamaqua, PA
Afternoon in Tamaqua on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tamaqua, 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 4m
Distance
325.4 mi
524 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 52m
★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tamaqua, PA
Haneul Trac
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 325.4-mile journey from Tamaqua, PA, to Erie, PA, will take approximately 6 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on I-81, this route is feasible as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Expect a fuel cost of around $54 for this drive. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for a less monotonous experience than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward trip entirely within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region.
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
162.7 miles from Tamaqua, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 236.1 mi | 4h 14m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 81 | 7 mi | 8m |
| Pine Street | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| State Route 93 | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Mile Hill Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Berwick Hazleton Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.1 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tamaqua, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 309
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
2
Turn left onto PA 309
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Pine Street
3
Continue on PA 309
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile Hill Road
4
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 81
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 81
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward PA 93: West Hazleton
8
Keep slight left at fork
294 ft
·
9 sec
9
Turn left onto PA 93
369 ft
·
14 sec
·
Valmont Parkway
10
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 93
11
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
13
Merge onto I 80
236 mi
·
4 hr 14 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
Given the 6-hour duration, departing early from Tamaqua is recommended to maximize daylight hours and allow for a comfortable pace. With only one recommended stop, plan your refueling and rest breaks strategically, perhaps around the midpoint of your 325.4-mile journey. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying close attention to navigation is key, especially as you transition between main roads like the Keystone Shortway and I-79. Factor in the estimated $54 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip.
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 162.7 miles from Tamaqua, PA, or about 3h 4m 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 72 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.7 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
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 Tamaqua, 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 Tamaqua, PA
This is one driving day of about 325.4 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Tamaqua, 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
163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 162.7 miles from Tamaqua, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 325 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
15 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
322.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m 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
322.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m 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
325 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.09 one way
$106.18 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $58.38 | $116.76 |
| premium | $4.86 | $62.30 | $124.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $71.84 | $143.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.17 | $15.62 |
| Efficient EV | 81.4 | 0 | $28.47 | $13.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.2 | 1 | $45.56 | $20.83 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 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
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
6h 4m 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?
The drive features a 24% highway share, indicating a significant portion of your time will be spent on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 236.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle in. However, the overall profile is described as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction and potentially varying speed limits as you navigate. This suggests a route that keeps you engaged with the landscape and the road itself.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 325.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 322.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
- • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
- • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania
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 4m. Total distance: 325.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m 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 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 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 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 322.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 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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