Origin
Adamstown, PA
Evening in Adamstown on Wednesday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adamstown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
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
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
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
State College
Lewistown
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Adamstown, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on Willow Street
Turn left onto PA 272
Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
Take the ramp onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Continue on I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 83
Continue on US 322
Take the exit onto US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
Continue on US 322; PA 53
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto PA 970
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Merge onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$57.38 one way
$114.76 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Adamstown on Wednesday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
8:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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