Origin
Derry, PA
Evening in Derry on Friday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Derry, PA to Erie, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 8m
Distance
275.4 mi
443 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 55m
★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Derry, PA
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
This 275.4-mile journey from Derry, PA to Erie, PA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 8 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a smaller portion on Broadway Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, this drive offers a manageable budget for a day trip. The route traverses within the Northeast region, providing a straightforward travel experience. Consider this a solid option for a focused, one-day road trip without the need for an overnight stay.
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
137.7 miles from Derry, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 275.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this route, with only 24% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 195 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a driving experience that is more about engaging with the local roads and less about high-speed interstate travel. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between these different road types, requiring your attention throughout the 5-hour duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 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 195 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Greenleaf Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Greenleaf Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (PA 254 / Washingtonville Road): Navigation decision point; at 272.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Greenleaf Road
Turn left onto Greenleaf Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
PA 254 / Washingtonville Road
Turn right onto PA 254 / Washingtonville Road
Navigation decision point
6
272.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m 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
5
272.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
|
PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
274.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 195 mi | 3h 29m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Broadway Road | 6 mi | 10m |
| Washingtonville Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Greenleaf Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Crawford Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 195 mi, about 3h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Derry, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Crawford Road
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Crawford Road
2
Turn left onto Greenleaf Road
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Greenleaf Road
3
Turn right onto PA 254
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Washingtonville Road
4
Continue on PA 254
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Broadway Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
195 mi
·
3 hr 29 min
·
Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
8
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
10
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Derry, PA in the morning will allow ample time to reach Erie, PA comfortably. While the route has only one designated stop, you'll want to plan for additional breaks as needed, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost of $46 should be considered, and refuel when opportunities arise. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is 195 miles, so ensure you're prepared for that segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.7 miles from Derry, PA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
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 Derry, 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 Derry, PA
This is one driving day of about 275.4 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Derry, 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 195 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.7 mi from Derry, PA · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.7 miles from Derry, 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 195 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
$45.66 one way
$91.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $50.01 | $100.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.41 | $106.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.80 | $121.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.6 | 1 | $28.92 | $13.22 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.10 | $11.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.2 | 1 | $38.56 | $17.63 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Evening in Erie on Friday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph
83% 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
21 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
5h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Derry, PA to Erie, PA covers 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 79, Broadway Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.7 miles from Derry, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Greenleaf Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (PA 254 / Washingtonville Road): Navigation decision point; at 272.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Derry, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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