Trip from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Erie, PA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

7h 39m

Distance

414 mi

666 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

7h 30m ★

6 AM

7h 40m

8 AM

7h 59m

10 AM

7h 46m

12 PM

7h 44m

3 PM

7h 47m

5 PM

7h 58m

8 PM

7h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bala-Cynwyd, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 414-mile journey from Bala-Cynwyd, PA, to Erie, PA, is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 7 hours and 39 minutes of driving time. You'll navigate primarily via the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I-79, with a highway share of 36%. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $69. Given the duration, it's manageable in one go, but planning for two stops will make it more comfortable. This drive takes you across Pennsylvania, offering a good sense of the state's diverse landscapes as you travel from the Northeast region to its northwestern edge.

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

207 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 51m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this 414-mile route, with 36% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a good opportunity for steady progress. While there are significant highway portions, the overall profile suggests a blend of faster travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you transition between major routes. This drive isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it offers a dynamic experience behind the wheel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 256.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Belmont Avenue.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 414 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 1 miles (Belmont Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Belmont Avenue

Turn left onto Belmont Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 76 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 76 West

7.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

86.7 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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

411 mi into trip | ~7h 32m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.

Mount Pocono

86.7 mi in | ~1h 39m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	256.6 mi	4h 37m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension	75 mi	1h 21m
I 79	65.8 mi	1h 10m
Schuylkill Expressway	5.9 mi	8m
Mid-County Expressway	3.4 mi	4m
West 12th Street	2.3 mi	4m
Belmont Avenue	0.7 mi	1m
Conshohocken State Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 256.6 mi, about 4h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bala-Cynwyd, PA and Erie, PA.

Start on Bala Avenue

435 ft · 28 sec · Bala Avenue

Turn sharp left onto PA 23

0.5 mi · 1 min · Conshohocken State Road

Turn right onto East Levering Mill Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Levering Mill Road

Turn left onto Belmont Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Belmont Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 76 West Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 76

5.9 mi · 8 min · Schuylkill Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 476

3.3 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway

Continue on I 476; PATP

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Merge onto I 80

257 mi · 4 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 79 North: Erie

Merge onto I 79

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 79

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 7-hour, 39-minute drive to Erie, consider an early morning departure from Bala-Cynwyd to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 414 miles effectively. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 256.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, planning your fuel and rest stops before or after this segment. The estimated fuel cost of $69 is a helpful budget point, but be aware that actual prices can fluctuate.

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 207 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA, or about 3h 51m 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 91 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 207 miles or 3h 51m 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 31m

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 Bala-Cynwyd, 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 Bala-Cynwyd, PA

This is one driving day of about 414 miles and 7h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 207 mi from Bala-Cynwyd, PA · 3h 51m into the drive

city in Steuben County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hornell, NY

207 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hornell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 207 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 256.6 miles.

Arriving in Erie, PA

The final approach into Erie, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Erie, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $1

Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure

View on nps.gov

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 14.3

View on nps.gov

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$68.64 one way

$137.27 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 145 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$75.17	$150.34
premium	$4.93	$80.29	$160.58
diesel	$5.61	$91.41	$182.81

Estimated Tolls: $9.75

Pennsylvania Turnpike (75 mi) $9.75

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

$69

Tolls

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 144.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	124.2	1	$43.47	$19.87
Efficient EV	103.5	1	$36.22	$16.56
EV Truck/SUV	165.6	2	$57.96	$26.50

Gas CO2

145 kg

EV CO2

48 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Bala-Cynwyd, PA

Evening in Bala-Cynwyd on Tuesday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Evening in Erie on Tuesday

Local time

6:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 13 to 16 mph 40% chance 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

24 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 39m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Erie, PA covers 414 miles and takes about 7h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 79. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 207 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.

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Trip from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Erie, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Erie, PA

National Parks Near This Route

Independence National Historical Park

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Valley Forge National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bala-Cynwyd, PA

Erie, PA

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 39m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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