Origin
Dale, PA
Afternoon in Dale on Saturday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dale, PA to Erie, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 3m
Distance
363.5 mi
585 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 52m
★
6 AM
7h 3m
8 AM
7h 26m
10 AM
7h 11m
12 PM
7h 9m
3 PM
7h 12m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dale, PA
Haneul Trac
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 363.5-mile journey from Dale, PA to Erie, PA takes approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes to complete, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on Locust Gap Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $60. This route is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive feel, so plan for a dynamic experience. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive effectively. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, keeping the regional context consistent.
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
181.7 miles from Dale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m 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 |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Oysterdale Road | 5.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dale, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Dale Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Dale Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Forgedale Road
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Forgedale Road
3
Turn right onto Baldy Hill Road
158 ft
·
7 sec
·
Baldy Hill Road
4
Turn left onto Oysterdale Road
5.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Oysterdale Road
5
Turn right onto PA 73
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Philadelphia Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto PA 73; PA 662
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
Memorial Highway
7
Continue on PA 73; PA 662
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Highway
8
Continue on PA 73
346 ft
·
6 sec
·
Blandon Road
9
Enter roundabout onto PA 73
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
Blandon Road
10
Continue on PA 73
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Blandon Road
11
Continue on PA 73
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Main Street
12
Continue on PA 73
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Blandon Road
13
Continue on PA 73
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
14
Continue on PA 73
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Lake Shore Drive
15
Turn right onto PA 61
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 4th Street
21
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
24
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
25
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
26
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
28
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
29
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
31
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
32
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
33
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
34
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
35
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
36
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
40
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
41
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
42
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
44
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
46
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 204 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your first stop before or shortly after this segment to refuel and stretch. With a turn-heavy profile, stay attentive to GPS and signage, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, I-79, and Locust Gap Highway. The $60 fuel cost is a good estimate, but check local prices before you depart.
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 181.7 miles from Dale, PA, or about 3h 43m 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 80 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.7 miles or 3h 43m 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 54m
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 Dale, 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 Dale, PA
This is one driving day of about 363.5 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dale, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.7 miles from Dale, 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 204 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 363 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Forgedale Road
At end of road, turn right onto Forgedale Road
Navigation decision point
5
12.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
PA 73 / Blandon Road
Enter roundabout onto PA 73 / Blandon Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
21.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Turn right onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
360.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 56m 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
363 mi into trip
|
~7h 1m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.26 one way
$120.53 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $66.00 | $132.00 |
| premium | $4.93 | $70.50 | $140.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.26 | $160.51 |
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
$60
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.17 | $17.45 |
| Efficient EV | 90.9 | 1 | $31.81 | $14.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.4 | 1 | $50.89 | $23.26 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Afternoon in Erie on Saturday
Local time
3:50 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
19 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 3m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 50.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, which accounts for 22% highway share. While there's a significant 204-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, the overall character leans towards more frequent directional changes and varied road types. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; instead, it offers a more engaging driving experience as you navigate through different segments. The profile suggests a route that keeps you actively involved behind the wheel.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
46 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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Forgedale Road.
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 363.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.2 miles (Forgedale Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (PA 73 / Blandon Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 21.6 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 7h 3m. Total distance: 363.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m 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: at 0.2 miles (Forgedale Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (PA 73 / Blandon Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 21.6 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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 Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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