Origin
Elkland, PA
Afternoon in Elkland on Thursday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
172.5 mi
278 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elkland, PA
Haneul Trac
The drive from Elkland, PA to Erie, PA covers 172.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Southern Tier Expressway, East Main Street, Steer Brook Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
86.2 miles from Elkland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 172.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
The drive from Elkland, PA to Erie, PA covers 172.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 59.3 miles in near PA 44 / North Oswayo Street.
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 172.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 59.3 miles (PA 44 / North Oswayo Street): Navigation decision point; at 74.9 miles (NY 16 / North Union Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 75 miles (NY 16 / North Union Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto PA 44 / North Oswayo Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto NY 16 / North Union Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto NY 16 / North Union Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto Wayne Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 77.1 mi | 1h 30m |
| East Main Street | 21.1 mi | 36m |
| Steer Brook Road | 16.6 mi | 29m |
| PA 49 | 14.8 mi | 20m |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Route 49 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Bayfront Connector | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Portville-Ceres Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elkland, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on PA 49
Continue on PA 49
Continue on PA 49
Turn right onto PA 49
Turn straight onto PA 49
Turn right onto PA 44
Turn left onto PA 44
At end of road, turn right onto PA 44
At end of road, turn left onto PA 44
Continue on PA 44
Continue on PA 44
At end of road, turn left onto NY 417
Continue on NY 305; NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Enter roundabout onto NY 16
Continue on NY 16
Enter roundabout onto NY 16
Continue on NY 16
Enter roundabout onto NY 16
Continue on NY 16
Enter roundabout onto Wayne Street
Continue on Wayne Street
Continue on Buffalo Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
Continue on I 86
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 290; PA 430
Continue on PA 290
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
Turn left onto East 10th Street
Turn right onto State Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 38 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Elkland, 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 Elkland, PA
This is one driving day of about 172.5 miles and 4h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.2 mi from Elkland, PA · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.2 miles from Elkland, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.60 one way
$57.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.32 | $62.64 |
| premium | $4.93 | $33.45 | $66.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.09 | $76.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.11 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.15 | $11.04 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Afternoon in Elkland on Thursday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Erie on Thursday
Local time
3:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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