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Trip from Adamstown, PA to Erie, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 48m

Distance

346.1 mi

557 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 36m ★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 12m
10 AM
6h 56m
12 PM
6h 54m
3 PM
6h 57m
5 PM
7h 10m
8 PM
6h 41m

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

borough in northeastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Adamstown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 346.1-mile drive from Adamstown, PA to Erie, PA will take approximately 6 hours and 48 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily be on the Keystone Shortway, I-79, and US-322, with about 60% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $57. This route offers a mixed driving experience as you travel across Pennsylvania. It's a straightforward journey for those looking to cover a good distance in a single day without excessive complexity.

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

173.1 miles from Adamstown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this 346.1-mile route, with 60% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, I-79, and US-322. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a solid period of consistent travel. This combination means you'll experience both faster-paced highway segments and potentially more varied driving as you transition between these main roads. The overall feel is one of steady progress across the state.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 102.7 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 3.3 miles in near Colonel Howard Boulevard.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 346.1 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 3.3 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

6
3.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | Colonel Howard Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 76, PATP
8
43.4 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 247 Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
7
46.2 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 283

Keep slight right at fork onto I 283 toward I 83 North, US 322

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3B-C Toward I 83 North, US 322
8
46.4 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3B Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
9
53.1 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | US 322

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 67B Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Adamstown, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Hershey, State College and Lewistown.

Hershey

43.4 mi in | ~49m

State College

46.4 mi in | ~55m

Lewistown

52.8 mi in | ~1h 4m | via US 322

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 102.7 mi 1h 50m
I 79 65.8 mi 1h 10m
US 322 54.4 mi 1h 7m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 38.9 mi 41m
US 22 24.5 mi 32m
Mount Nittany Expressway 17.5 mi 21m
Port Matilda Highway 10.1 mi 14m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway 7.1 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Willow Street

93 ft · 10 sec · Willow Street
2

Turn left onto PA 272

2.5 mi · 4 min · North Reading Road
3

Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
4

Take the ramp onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
5

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7

Merge onto I 76; PATP

39 mi · 41 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 247 Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 283

2.5 mi · 3 min · I 283
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 283

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 283
Exit 3B-C Toward I 83 North, US 322
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 3B Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
12

Continue on I 83

3.7 mi · 5 min · I 83
13

Continue on US 322

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 322
Exit 51A Toward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
14

Take the exit onto US 322

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US 322
Exit 67A; 67B Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

52 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 322
Exit 67B Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322

24 mi · 32 min · US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
17

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

18 mi · 21 min · Mount Nittany Expressway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · 28th Division Highway
Exit 62 Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
20

Continue on US 322

10 mi · 14 min · Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on US 322

1.0 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
22

Turn right onto US 322; PA 53

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Centre Street
23

Continue on US 322; PA 53

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Front Street
24

Continue on US 322

7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway
25

Continue on US 322

2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway
26

Turn right onto PA 970

1.6 mi · 2 min · Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
28

Merge onto I 80

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway
29

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
30

Merge onto I 79

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 79
31

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
32

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the left lane.
34

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

With a driving time of just under 7 hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any brief stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $57, so plan accordingly. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major change is over 100 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of continuous driving before needing to pull over. Having one stop planned should be sufficient for this distance.

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 173.1 miles from Adamstown, PA, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 76 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 173.1 miles or 3h 37m 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 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 Adamstown, 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 Adamstown, PA

This is one driving day of about 346.1 miles and 6h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Adamstown, 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 102.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 173.1 mi from Adamstown, PA · 3h 37m into the drive

town in Allegany County, New York, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wellsville, NY

173 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

North Bel Air, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bethlehem, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 173.1 miles from Adamstown, 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 102.7 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.38 one way

$114.76 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 121 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $62.84 $125.69
premium $4.93 $67.12 $134.24
diesel $5.61 $76.41 $152.83

Estimated Tolls: $5.06

Pennsylvania Turnpike (38.9 mi) $5.06

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

$57

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.8 1 $36.34 $16.61
Efficient EV 86.5 0 $30.28 $13.84
EV Truck/SUV 138.4 1 $48.45 $22.15

Gas CO2

121 kg

EV CO2

40 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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Adamstown, PA

Evening in Adamstown on Wednesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Evening in Erie on Wednesday

Local time

8:18 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 13 to 16 mph 40% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 2:32PM EDT until April 14 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

57°F

Wellsville, NY

173 mi in

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

4 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Adamstown, PA to Erie, PA covers 346.1 miles and takes about 6h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 79, US 322. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.1 miles from Adamstown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.38 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 346.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Adamstown, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Hershey, State College and Lewistown.

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Return Trip

Erie, PA to Adamstown, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

358.1 mi 6h 48m

Explore more options from Adamstown, PA or browse trips ending in Erie, PA.

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