Leave Meadville at 8:15 a.m. for Emlenton, taking I-79 south to I-80 east; allow about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus a little extra for traffic. That puts arrival around 10:00 a.m.—the stated 8:04 a.m. arrival can’t work with an 8:15 departure. Drop off the dogs before continuing, and keep the morning flexible: the planned meal deadline of 10:45 a.m. also doesn’t fit with an hour of driving after the drop-off. Head east on I-80 to the Pennsylvania I-80 Eastbound Rest Area near Shippenville for a packed meal and a proper break. Budget roughly $10–20 per person for food and drinks; plan on eating closer to late morning than 10:45.
After the rest stop, continue east on I-80, then take PA-555 toward Benezette. Allow roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on road conditions, and park at the Elk Country Visitor Center or its designated viewing areas. Set aside 1–1½ hours for the exhibits and a look around outside. Elk sightings aren’t guaranteed, so enjoy the landscape too—and keep a respectful distance from any wildlife. For a relaxed late lunch or early dinner, try Benezette Hotel & Restaurant; expect about $15–30 per person, but check current service hours before counting on a meal there.
After your visit and meal, head back via PA-555, I-80 west, and I-79 north. Leaving in the afternoon should make for a roughly 2½–3-hour drive to Meadville; check traffic and road conditions before setting off, and take a brief break if needed.
No packing list attached yet.